title: Effects of oral contraceptive use on the salivary testosterone and cortisol responses to training sessions and competitions in elite women athletes.
abstract: This study examined the salivary testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) responses of elite women hockey players across 4 activities (light and heavy training, club and International competitions). The players formed an oral contraceptive (OC) group (n=10) and a Non-OC (n=19) group for analysis. The Non-OC group had higher T levels (by 31-52%) across all activities, whilst the OC group showed signs of reduced T and C reactivity when data were pooled. As a squad, positive T and C changes occurred with heavy training (45%, 46%), club competitions (62%, 80%) and International competitions (40%, 27%), respectively. Our results confirm that OC use lowers T levels in women athletes whilst reducing the T and C responses to training and competition activities within the sporting environment. Differences in the physical and/or psychological demands of the sporting activity could be contributing factors to the observed hormone responses. These factors require consideration when applying theoretical models in sport, with broader implications for women around exercising behaviours and stress physiology.
authors: Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College, London, UK. Electronic address: bcrewthe@imperial.ac.uk.
authors: Blair T
authors: BT
authors: Crewther
authors: Director of Performance Science, USA Field Hockey, Lancaster, USA.
authors: Dave
authors: D
authors: Hamilton
authors: Department of Psychology, Emory University, USA.
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Casto
authors: A-STEM, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
authors: Liam P
authors: LP
authors: Kilduff
authors: Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College, London, UK; A-STEM, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK; Sport and Exercise, Bangor University, Bangor, UK.
authors: Christian J
authors: CJ
authors: Cook
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006688:Hockey; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013663:Teaching; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Adaptive; Adrenal; Androgen; Sport; Training