title: Salivary Cortisol Responses and Session Ratings of Perceived Exertion to a Rugby Match and Fatigue Test.
abstract: This study compared the effects of an official rugby match and a fatigue test on the salivary cortisol responses of 13 rugby players. We also examined the relationship between this cortisol response and session ratings of perceived exertion (session-RPE). We collected saliva before and after the match and fatigue test and assessed physical effort intensity via session-RPE using a CR-10 scale. We measured cortisol concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results were greater session-RPE and cortisol concentrations for the rugby match, compared with the fatigue test. There was a significant difference between cortisol concentrations obtained pre- and postmatch ( p < .022) and significant correlations between cortisol response and session-RPE sampling in both the rugby match ( r = .81; p < .001) and fatigue test ( r = .91; p < .001). This study provides evidence of greater perceived effort and higher cortisol concentrations in actual competition versus a fatigue test. Our data further support session-RPE as a relatively inexpensive close correlate of a stress biomarker (cortisol response). Thus, session-RPE can be used by coaches as a valid indication of training loads and adequate recovery time after exertion.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Health and Physical Education, Universidade Paulista (UNIP), São Paulo, Brazil.|2 Laboratory of Nanosensor, Institute of Research and Development (IP&D), Universidade do Vale do ParaíbaSão Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Caetano Júnior
authors.affiliation: 2 Laboratory of Nanosensor, Institute of Research and Development (IP&D), Universidade do Vale do ParaíbaSão Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Castilho
authors.affiliation: 2 Laboratory of Nanosensor, Institute of Research and Development (IP&D), Universidade do Vale do ParaíbaSão Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Raniero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: exercise response; human performance; physical stressors; rating of perceived exertion; team performance