ABSTRACT
We analyze the outcome on testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) responses in 12 professional basketball players during a season of competition. Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), C, total testosterone (TT), and free testosterone (FT) levels were analyzed in October, December, March, and April. A day after the games, blood samples were taken. Serum ACTH levels were maintained at the initial levels during the season. However, basal C significantly changed during the season, with lower levels in December and in April. Basal serum TT levels increased during the season until a maximum in March. No differences were presented in the TT values in December, March, and April. Basal FT presented high levels in October and December, followed by a low level in March, remaining low in April. The T/C increased during the season, attaining a maximum level in December, followed by a significant decrease in March. Free T/C ratio decreased during the season (lower level in March). In conclusion, the players maintained a good anabolic-catabolic balance. In our opinion, to prevent the stress provoked during the season, and control the recovery periods, it is useful to monitor C, T, and the level of training.
Subject(s)
Athletic Performance/physiology , Basketball/physiology , Competitive Behavior/physiology , Hydrocortisone/blood , Testosterone/blood , Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/blood , Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/metabolism , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Athletes , Case-Control Studies , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Humans , Hydrocortisone/metabolism , Male , Muscle Fatigue/physiology , Muscle Strength/physiology , Physical Education and Training/methods , Physical Endurance/physiology , Probability , Seasons , Spain , Testosterone/metabolism , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Long-duration or damaging exercise initiates reactions that resemble the acute phase response to infection and induces neutrophil priming for oxidative activity. Our objective was to establish the status of the antioxidant defences and of the oxidative equilibrium in the neutrophils of sportsmen prior to and after intense physical exercise. Nine voluntary male professional cyclists participated in this study. The exercise was a cycling mountain stage (171 km) and the cyclists took a mean +/- SEM of 270 +/- 12 min to complete it. We determined the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), the levels and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), the concentrations of ascorbate, glutathione and glutathione disulphide (GSSG) and DNA levels in neutrophils. The cycling stage decreased enzyme activities expressed per DNA units: CAT (33%), SOD (38%), GPx (65%); increased ascorbate concentration in neutrophils and decreased the GSH/GSSG ratio and the enzyme activities expressed per DNA units. Neutrophils could contribute to plasma antioxidant defences against oxidative stress induced by exercise because they probably provide antioxidant enzymes and ascorbate.
