Vol 11, Issue 6

Weekly Salivary Biomarkers across a Season for Elite Men Collegiate Basketball Players

October 15, 2018 - By 

Authors

Matthew J. Andre, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Cross
Andrew C. Fry, Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Science, University of Kansas
Paul E. Luebbers, Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Emporia State University
Andrea Hudy, Athletics Department, University of Kansas
Patricia R. Dietz, Andres School of Education, Upper Iowa Univesity
Glenn J. Cain, Department of Athletics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
International Journal of Exercise Science 11(6): 439-451, 2018.
DOI: 10.70252/UANU1467

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to monitor weekly the salivary free testosterone (FT), cortisol (C), and the FT/C ratio in elite men NCAA Division I basketball athletes across an entire season. Twelve athletes gave salivary samples for 30 consecutive weeks, beginning in the pre-season and ending one week after the end of post-season competition. Samples were assayed for FT and C. Additionally, a composite value (CBD) composed of Z-scores for weekly practice minutes, game minutes, resistance training repetitions, academic demands, and travel schedules was determined. One-way RM ANOVAs were used to determine which weekly values were different (a=.05) from the season mean. For FT, 10 weeks were different from the season average (5.1 nmol/L). For C, 11 weeks were different from the season mean (9.0 nmol/L). For FT/C, weeks 7 (p=.007), 17 (p=.007), and 25 (p=.005) were different from the season mean (FT/C=0.69). During Wk7, at the start of regular season play, FT/C was above, while CBD was below the season means. During Wk17, which was leading into a series of important conference games, FT/C was below, while CBD was not different from season means. During Wk25, which was one week before the conference tournament, FT/C was below, while CBD was above season means. The methods of this study can be used for monitoring athlete responses and adaptations to sport-specific training and competition; specifically, for evaluating responses to challenging pre-season training, recovery for regular season play, and how they physiologically cope with the competitive season.

Recommended Citation