Bouts of exercise elicit discordant testosterone: cortisol ratios in runners and non-runners

Testosterone/cortisol ratio: gender effect and prediction of podium results in beach sprint master rowers

Objective

The purpose of this study was to address the lack of data on the stress and motivation response in master athletes during competitions, as athletic performance in this age group can be significantly impacted by stress rather than appropriate training.

Methods

Coastal rowing beach sprint master athletes aged 43-57 years were examined to assess the saliva levels of stress biomarkers, cortisol, and testosterone. Specifically, samples were collected at awakening and before and after the boat race.

Results

Mean values of cortisol remained unchanged from awakening and raised at the end of the competition, while testosterone levels increased before the race, suggesting an aggressive/competitive behavior. Cortisol levels were significantly higher when comparing pre-race levels with post-race (p = 0.001) levels and early morning with post-race (p = 0.006) levels. No gender effect was observed in this case. Testosterone values did not demonstrate significance when compared between time points, not even when stratifying by gender. Considering the 24 athletes, a higher testosterone/cortisol ratio was correlated with a worse podium position (B = 3.705; p = 0.009). When stratified by gender, the testosterone/cortisol ratio demonstrated an association with a worse outcome of the race only in female rowers (B = 4.012; p = 0.022). Male athletes demonstrated no significant correlation between hormone ratio and race results (B = 3.288; p = 0.292).

Conclusion

It emerged from this study that the amateur rowers who approach competitive sport during adulthood may have problems in coping with the race-related stress and thus the outcome of their performance might be affected, as in adolescents.

Physical Training Increases Erythroferrone Levels in Men

Intense physical activity contributes to an increased demand for red blood cells, which transport oxygen to working muscles. The purpose of this study was to assess the concentration of erythroferrone (ERFE), the novel marker of erythroid activity in athletes, during the beginning of their training season. The study group consisted of 39 athletes aged 23.24 ± 3.77 years. The study was carried out during the athletes' preparatory period of the training cycle. The control group consisted of 34 healthy men aged 22.33 ± 2.77 years. The erythropoietic activity was evaluated by determining athletes' concentrations of erythropoietin (EPO) and erythroferrone (ERFE). The level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). In the athletes' group, we observed higher concentrations of EPO (Me = 12.65 mIU/mL) and ERFE (40.00 pg/mL) compared to the control group (EPO: Me = 5.74 mIU/ml, p = 0.001; ERFE: Me = 25.50 pg/mL, p = 0.0034). The average intensity of physical exercise significantly differentiated the participants as far as EPO and ERFE concentrations. These results suggest that intense physical activity, at least at the beginning of the training season, may stimulate EPO production, which increases ERFE release. This seems to be an adaptative mechanism that provides adequate iron for enhanced erythropoiesis.