Salivary cortisol in top-level professional soccer players.
We have tested the hypothesis that salivary cortisol increases after a competitive training match in top-level male professional soccer players divided in team A (n = 11) versus team B (n = 11). Saliva samples collected before and after the match were analyzed. Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results from a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures showed no significant changes in salivary cortisol between either teams or time points (P > 0.05). Further investigation regarding competitive matches in a competition environment is warranted. In summary, the influence of intensive competitive training match alone appears to be minimal on salivary cortisol changes in top-level soccer adapted to this type of stress. From a practical application, the variability of the responses among the players leads us to suggest that there is a need to individually analyse the results with team sports.
Moreira
Alexandre
A
Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. alemoreira@usp.br
Arsati
Franco
F
de Oliveira Lima Arsati
Ynara Bosco
YB
da Silva
Danilo Augusto
DA
de Araújo
Vera Cavalcanti
VC
D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D006854:Hydrocortisone