Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.26582/k.52.1.1

CONCENTRATION OF SALIVARY CORTISOL AND TESTOSTERONE IN ELITE WOMEN FOOTBALL PLAYERS: ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE IN OFFICIAL MATCHES

Natalina R. Casanova ; Department of Sports, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, Guarda, Portugal ;Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, Guarda, Portugal
Bruno R. Travassos ; Research Centre for Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Portugal ;Sports Science Department of University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
Sandra S. Ferreira ; Department of Mathematics and Centre of Mathematics, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
Nuno D. Garrido ; Research Centre for Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Portugal; Sports Science Department of University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
Aldo M. Costa ; Research Centre for Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Portugal; Sports Science Department of University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; CICS-UBI Health Sciences Investigation Center, University of Beira Interior, Portugal

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the relation between salivary concentrations of cortisol (C), testosterone (T), the ratio T:C and the individual performance of top-level female soccer athletes during official matches. Eighteen female athletes from a national soccer team (age 23.06 ± 4.33 years) participated in the study. Four official matches were analysed and the on-field time of each player as well as the index of individual effectiveness were calculated. Players were classified in two clusters according to their individual performance (cluster 1 – poor individual performance; cluster 2 – good individual performance) using K-means and their hormonal variables were compared. The players of cluster 2 generally revealed higher values (p˂.05) in both the positive actions and individual effectiveness, when compared with the players of cluster 1. The players of both clusters presented identical values of C, T and T:C at the four evaluated matches. The athletes of cluster 2 showed a significant increase in C (p˂.05) and a significant decrease in T and T:C before the games lost (M2 and M5). However, there was no linear relation between the variation of both hormones during the matches and the individual performance of players. Performance in competition revealed significant differences between players, though with no apparent relation to the hormonal kinetics of C and T before and after the matches.

Keywords

cortisol; football; soccer; sport performance; testosterone

Hrčak ID:

228734

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/228734

Publication date:

30.6.2020.

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