Hormonal Balance in Stress, Fatigue, and Recovery: Dynamics of Pre-Competition Responses

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy

• Registration Number: NCT06917677
• Lead Sponsor: Poznan University of Physical Education

Brief Summary

This observational study investigates how elite athletes respond physiologically and psychologically to pre-competitive stress in the context of a high-stakes performance test. The study focuses on the dynamic changes in stress-related hormonal biomarkers and self-reported psychological states across three key phases: mobilization (pre-exercise anticipation), fatigue (immediate post-effort), and recovery (1 hour and 24 hours post-exercise). The performance test serves as part of a qualification process for national and international championship competitions, providing an ecologically valid model of competitive stress. Blood samples and validated psychological questionnaires are used to assess hormonal fluctuations and subjective stress responses at four time points.

The main question it aims to answer is:

How do key hormonal markers and self-reported psychological stress levels change across the mobilization-fatigue-recovery cycle surrounding a competitive performance?

Detailed Description

Elite athletes frequently experience intense psychological and physiological stress before and during high-stakes competitions. While a certain level of pre-competitive stress is necessary for optimal performance, excessive or poorly regulated stress can negatively affect both performance outcomes and recovery. The body's response to stress involves complex neuroendocrine mechanisms, including the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the release of stress-related hormones and neuromodulators. These include cortisol, testosterone, dopamine, serotonin, β-endorphins, and endocannabinoids such as anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).

This observational cohort study aims to explore the dynamic changes in both hormonal and psychological stress responses across four time points-before, immediately after, 1 hour after, and 24 hours after-a standardized, high-intensity rowing performance test. This test is part of the official national team selection process and simulates the psychological and physical demands of real-world competition, making it an ecologically valid model for investigating stress.

Participants are elite rowers (men and women) who are current members of the national team. The test represents a critical selection tool for major championship events (e.g., World and National Championships), creating a natural, high-pressure environment to study pre-competitive stress. All participants provide blood samples at four time points and complete validated psychological questionnaires (including CSAI-2 and SCAT) before the test.

The study's primary outcomes include blood concentrations of stress- and motivation-related hormones (cortisol, testosterone, dopamine, serotonin, β-endorphin, anandamide, 2-AG), and scores from standardized psychological stress inventories assessing cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence. These variables are evaluated across the mobilization-fatigue-recovery cycle to capture both immediate and delayed responses to competitive stress.

Secondary outcomes include anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, body mass index, body composition, and training history), which will be used to describe the participant cohort and assess potential moderating factors.

This study is novel in its scope and methodology, integrating a broad panel of biological stress markers with subjective psychological assessments across multiple time points. While previous research has focused primarily on cortisol in isolated pre- or post-competition measures, this study tracks dynamic, time-resolved changes across the full stress-recovery spectrum. Furthermore, the inclusion of dopamine, β-endorphins, and endocannabinoids represents a rare and innovative attempt to explore less-studied but potentially critical components of the athlete stress response.

This study will provide new insights into the mechanisms of resilience, adaptation, and recovery in elite sport by evaluating how hormonal and psychological indicators shift together or diverge. Findings may help coaches, sports psychologists, and medical professionals better monitor athlete well-being, identify signs of overreaching or maladaptive stress, and develop more personalized strategies for performance readiness and mental support.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2023-10
• Study Start: 2023-10-20
• Primary Completion: 2023-10-25
• Study Completion: 2023-12-02
• Study First Submitted: 2025-04-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-04-01
• Study First Posted: 2025-04-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-02
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-08

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged 18-24 years
• Member of the national rowing team
• Actively participating in training and selection processes
• Medically cleared for high-intensity exercise by a team physician

Exclusion Criteria

• Current injury or illness affecting physical performance
• Use of medications that may influence hormonal or psychological responses (e.g., corticosteroids, antidepressants, hormonal therapies)
• Diagnosed neurological, or endocrine disorders
• Refusal to provide blood samples or complete questionnaires

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes from baseline in cortisol level.	At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.	Concentration of cortisol \[ng/ml\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Changes from baseline in testosterone level.	At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.	Concentration of testosterone \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Changes from baseline in serotonin level.	At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.	Concentration of serotonin \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Changes from baseline in dopamine level.	At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.	Concentration of dopamine \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Changes from baseline in beta-endorphin level.	At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.	Concentration of beta-endorphin \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Changes from baseline in anandamide level.	At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.	Concentration of anandamide \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Changes from baseline in 2-arachidonoyl glycerol level.	At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.	Concentration of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Competitive Anxiety Profile Before Exercise Test Using SCAT Questionnaire	Before the 2000-meter exercise test (baseline, at rest)	The Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) measures trait anxiety levels related to competitive situations in athletes. The SCAT questionnaire provides a score ranging from 10 to 30 points.; Higher scores indicate higher levels of competitive anxiety, which is considered a worse outcome in terms of psychological readiness for competition.; Lower scores suggest lower levels of trait anxiety and better psychological preparedness.
Cognitive, Somatic Anxiety, and Confidence Before and After Exercise Using CSAI-2R Questionnaire	Before the 2000-meter exercise test (baseline, at rest)	The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised (CSAI-2R) measures the intensity of cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence in athletes before and after competitive performance. Each subscale of the CSAI-2R provides a score ranging from 9 to 36 points.; For Cognitive Anxiety and Somatic Anxiety, higher scores indicate higher levels of anxiety, which are considered a worse outcome regarding psychological readiness.; For Self-Confidence, higher scores indicate greater confidence, which is considered a better outcome.
Coping Strategies for Sport Stress Using CICS Questionnaire	Before the 2000-meter exercise test (baseline, at rest)	The Coping Inventory for Competitive Sport (CICS) assesses athletes' coping strategies in response to competition-related stress. It measures task-oriented, distraction-oriented, and disengagement-oriented coping styles.; Each subscale of the CICS (Task-Oriented Coping, Distraction-Oriented Coping, and Disengagement-Oriented Coping) provides a score ranging from 5 to 25 points.; For Task-Oriented Coping, higher scores indicate more significant use of effective, adaptive coping strategies, which is considered a better outcome.; For Distraction-Oriented Coping and Disengagement-Oriented Coping, higher scores indicate more significant use of less effective or maladaptive coping strategies, which is considered a worse outcome.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Poznań University of Physical Education; 🇵🇱 Poznań, Wielkopolskie, Poland