Effects of a Soccer Tournament on the Psychohormonal States of Collegiate Female Players.

ABSTRACT: Broodryk, A, Pienaar, C, Edwards, D, and Sparks, M. Effects of a soccer tournament on the psychohormonal states of collegiate female players. J Strength Cond Res 35(7): 1873-1884, 2021-A gap exists in the literature concerning the connection between soccer players' hormonal and psychological responses when playing a tournament, or even a match, and its outcome (victory or defeat). This study evaluates the effects of a week-long tournament on the psychohormonal states of collegiate female soccer players. Eight players' cortisol (saliva sample), mood states (Incredibly Short Profile of Mood States [ISP]), and state-anxiety (state subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) were assessed 1 hour before and 15 minutes after every game. Cortisol increased significantly after most matches, with intramatch differences observed (p < 0.05, d > 1.2). Match intensity influenced cortisol secretion, with greater secretion as intensity increased. The ISP demonstrated intramatch differences for the subscales' fatigue, depression, tension, and vigor (p < 0.05). Matches lost produced a higher total mood disturbance (TMD) index compared with matches won (p = 0.001, d = 1.4). Cortisol correlated with the TMD and various mood subscales before a winning outcome, with the ISP correlating at all times with the anxiety scores (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate that physiological and psychological variables combine to contribute to the stress response during a tournament. Focusing on high-intensity activities and minimizing fatigue are important, as both are associated with raised cortisol and negative mood states. Finally, implementing a mood questionnaire over a tournament can be beneficial, as sensitive information on players' hormonal and perceived anxiety states, which subsequently affect physical performance, can be obtained.

The psycho-hormonal influence of anaerobic fatigue on semi-professional female soccer players.

Globally it is assumed that high-intensity activities are the general cause of fatigue experienced during a soccer match. However, little is known about the hormonal and psychological effects of fatigue due to these activities on semi-professional female soccer players. Forty-seven female players (22.0±2.7y) from a tertiary education institution volunteered for the study. Their cortisol values (saliva sample), anxiety [Spielberger State-trait anxiety inventory questionnaire (STAI)] and mood scores [Incredible Short Profile of Mood states questionnaire (ISP)] were taken an hour and immediately prior to, and 15min after an anaerobic fatiguing test (AFT). During the AFT, subjects completed a 5-m multiple shuttle run test and their HRmax, blood lactate (BLa-) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) taken afterwards. Anxiety scores were divided into three categories and mood scores into the Total Mood Disturbances (TMD) and six subscales. The results indicated an increase in cortisol, psychological fatigue and TMD from baseline and/or pre- to post-AFT (p<0.05). Vigour and confusion decreased from baseline and/or pre- to post-AFT (p<0.05). A relationship was seen between state-anxiety and TMD (r≥0.63, p<0.05) at all three time points, as well as between state-anxiety and HRmax (r=0.37, p=0.03). Cortisol and RPE (r=-0.34, p=0.03) demonstrated a correlation post-AFT. This is the first study to evaluate the effects of anaerobic fatigue on the hormonal and psychological states of female soccer players. The results suggest that an AFT can be perceived as a physiological and psychological stressor by female players, hence has the ability to influence performance. Altering a player's awareness and anaerobic fitness level might therefore influence both the hormonal and psychological consequences of the stressor, subsequently reducing the experience of fatigue and thereby enhancing performance.