Hormonal adaptations to different training intensities during the preparation of elite judokas for competition

Authors

  • D. Nemet Child Health & Sport Center, Pediatric Department, Meir General Hospital, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel; The Israeli Unit for Sport Excellence, Israeli Olympic Committee, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel
  • G. Lustig The Israeli Unit for Sport Excellence, Israeli Olympic Committee, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel
  • H. Davidov The Israeli Unit for Sport Excellence, Israeli Olympic Committee, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel
  • Y. Meckel Zinman College of Physical Education, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel
  • Alon Eliakim Child Health & Sport Center, Pediatric Department, Meir General Hospital, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel; The Israeli Unit for Sport Excellence, Israeli Olympic Committee, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel; Zinman College of Physical Education, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12697/akut.2008.13.06

Keywords:

athletes, anabolic, catabolic, IGF-I, Judo

Abstract

Many efforts are made to quantify objectively the balance between training load and the athlete’s tolerance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the balance between anabolic (i.e. testosterone and IGF-I) and catabolic (i.e. cortisol) hormones in elite judokas during their preparations (4 months) for the European championships. Five healthy elite Israeli judokas (four male, one female, age range 17–26 years) were tested at baseline, after two months of moderate training, after another one month of intense training, after one month of tapering down prior to the competition, and during the week after the championships. Hormonal level remained relatively unchanged during period of moderate training. Circulating levels of IGF-I and testosterone decreased and the cortisol/testosterone ratio increased during intense training. However, only the decrease in circulating IGF-I level reached statistical significance. Both levels of IGF-I and testosterone increased significantly, and the cortisol/testosterone ratio decreased significantly following tapering down, prior to the championships, compared to the levels during intense training. Changes in the balance of anabolic and catabolic hormones during the training season may help elite athletes and assist their coaches in their preparation for the competition.

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