Plasma testosterone and cortisol responses to prolonged sculling in male competitive rowers

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In this study, we examined anabolic and catabolic hormone responses to a single endurance rowing training session in 12 male competitive single scull rowers. A work intensity eliciting a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol· l -1 was determined on a rowing ergometer during an endurance rowing training session lasting about 2 h (7891 - 761 s; distance covered 22.6 - 2.5 km; heart rate 136 - 7 beats· min -1 ; intensity 77.4 - 3.8% of anaerobic threshold; mean - s ). Venous blood samples were obtained before and after on-water rowing. Cortisol, testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin were measured and free testosterone and the free testosterone: cortisol ratio calculated. Blood lactate concentration did not change significantly during training (from 1.7 - 0.4 to 1.9 - 0.4 mmol· l -1 ); however, body mass was reduced (from 82.0 - 10.8 to 80.6 - 11.2 kg) and was related to the distance covered ( r =-0.75). The concentrations of cortisol and testosterone did not change significantly during rowing or in the first 2 h of recovery. Free testosterone was reduced in the first 2 h of recovery, but no significant changes were observed in the free testosterone: cortisol ratio. Immediately after rowing, the concentrations of cortisol ( r = 0.49) and free testosterone ( r =-0.58) were related to the distance covered. Our findings indicate that a prolonged low-intensity training session results in a similar anabolic and catabolic hormone stimulus for trained rowers.