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Salivary cortisol in top-level professional soccer players

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Abstract

We have tested the hypothesis that salivary cortisol increases after a competitive training match in top-level male professional soccer players divided in team A (n = 11) versus team B (n = 11). Saliva samples collected before and after the match were analyzed. Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results from a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures showed no significant changes in salivary cortisol between either teams or time points (P > 0.05). Further investigation regarding competitive matches in a competition environment is warranted. In summary, the influence of intensive competitive training match alone appears to be minimal on salivary cortisol changes in top-level soccer adapted to this type of stress. From a practical application, the variability of the responses among the players leads us to suggest that there is a need to individually analyse the results with team sports.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Alexandre Moreira & Danilo Augusto da Silva

  2. Department of Oral Pathology, São Leopoldo Mandic Dental Research Center, Campinas, Brazil

    Franco Arsati, Ynara Bosco de Oliveira Lima Arsati & Vera Cavalcanti de Araújo

  3. Cidade Universitária, Av. Prof. Mello de Moraes, 65, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05508-030, Brazil

    Alexandre Moreira

Authors
  1. Alexandre Moreira
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  2. Franco Arsati
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  3. Ynara Bosco de Oliveira Lima Arsati
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  4. Danilo Augusto da Silva
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  5. Vera Cavalcanti de Araújo
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Correspondence to Alexandre Moreira.

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Moreira, A., Arsati, F., de Oliveira Lima Arsati, Y.B. et al. Salivary cortisol in top-level professional soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol 106, 25–30 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-0984-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-0984-y

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