In:
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, Human Kinetics, Vol. 13, No. 7 ( 2018-08-1), p. 839-843
Abstract:
Context : Stress responses in athletes can be attributed to training and competition, where increased physiological and psychological stress may negatively affect performance and recovery. Purpose : To examine the relationship between training load (TL) and salivary biomarkers immunoglobulin A (IgA), alpha-amylase (AA), and cortisol across a 16-wk preparation phase and 10-d competition phase in Paralympic swimmers. Methods : Four Paralympic swimmers provided biweekly saliva samples during 3 training phases—(1) normal training, (2) intensified training, and (3) taper—as well as daily saliva samples in the 10-d Paralympic competition (2016 Paralympic Games). TL was measured using session rating of perceived exertion. Results : Multilevel analysis identified a significant increase in salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA: 94.98 [27.69] μg·mL −1 ), salivary alpha-amylase (sAA: 45.78 [19.07] μg·mL −1 ), and salivary cortisol (7.92 [2.17] nM) during intensified training concurrent with a 38.3% increase in TL. During the taper phase, a 49.5% decrease in TL from the intensified training phase resulted in a decrease in sIgA, sAA, and salivary cortisol; however, all 3 remained higher than baseline levels. A further significant increase was observed during competition in sIgA (168.69 [24.19] μg·mL −1 ), sAA (35.86 [16.67] μg·mL −1 ), and salivary cortisol (10.49 [1.89] nM) despite a continued decrease (77.8%) in TL from the taper phase. Conclusions : Results demonstrate that performance in major competition such as Paralympic games, despite a noticeable reduction in TL, induces a stress response in athletes. Because of the elevated stress response observed, modifications to individual postrace recovery protocols may be required to enable athletes to maximize performance across all 10 d of competition.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1555-0265
,
1555-0273
DOI:
10.1123/ijspp.2017-0683
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Human Kinetics
Publication Date:
2018
SSG:
31
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