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DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35073
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York
Cortisol, DHEA, Performance and Training in Elite Swimmers
Publication History
Accepted after revision: March 20, 2002
Publication Date:
28 October 2002 (online)


Abstract
Salivary cortisol (C) and DHEA concentrations were measured in 9 elite swimmers (4 female and 5male) over a 37-week period, 5 to 12 times per swimmer, before 68 competitions. For female and male swimmers, no significant relationship was found between C, DHEA and performance. For the whole group, C was negatively correlated with week number of training (r = -0.31, p < 0.01). The incorporation of the cumulated distance swum as a second variable in the regression increased r to 0.56 (p < 0.01). The higher the cumulated distance swum, the higher C. No significant relationship was found between DHEA and distance swum. For individual swimmers, 3 of 4 females showed a significant negative relationship between C and cumulated dry-land training. No equivalent relationship was found for DHEA. The 2 males practicing dry-land training showed a significant and negative relationship between DHEA and cumulated dry-land training. No equivalent relationship was found for C. Thus, C and DHEA were not good predictors of swimming performance. C for individual females, and DHEA for individual males were considered useful markers for dry-land training stress.
Key words
Exercise - hormones - training - taper - testosterone