IntroductionThe primary purpose of this study was to describe the trends in Total Testosterone(TT) and Cortisol (C) and the relation to workload during the course of a completeseason in elite Spanish basketball players.

Materials and methodsWe studied a professional basketball team consisting of twelve male players (27.8± 4.9 years; 97 ± 9.5 kg; 24.7 ± 1 BMI; 8.2 ± 4.5 years of experience in 1st

Spanish Division -ACB-). Eight players comprised the final sample (n=8). Bloodsamples were collected just after the transitory period and were considered asbaseline. During the season, samples were taken every 4-6 weeks, after a 24-36hour period of rest from the last game played. Eight samples were collected fromAugust to April.

AcknowledgmentsThe authors of this article would like to thank Dr. Ramón Serra, the team’s Chief of MedicalServices, as well as Mútua Intercomarcal and Laboratorios Nogueras for their cooperation andtimeliness in collecting the samples. We would also like to thank the technical staff and playersfor their collaboration, as well as Dr. Antoni Planas for his valuable advice on statistical analysis.

ResultsTT concentration showed significant variations between blood samples: Apr vs.Sep (-4.4 nMol/l, p=0.010), Apr vs. Oct (-4.9 nMol/l, p=0.004) and Apr vs. Feb (-6.8nMol/l, p=0.013). TT did not correlate with playing time. C concentration and TT/Cratio did not show significant variations during the season and did not correlatewith playing time either.

ConclusionsThe effect of a basketball season is clearly reflected by testosterone, decreasing inspecific phases of the season, and showing values in some of the players whichcould jeopardize the athlete’s health. It is interesting to differentiate between 3phases during the season: preseason, the first 2/3 of the regular season and thelast 1/3 of the regular season. TT could be an indicator of the athlete’s state whichcould justify, in conjunction with other indicators, necessary action to optimizeworkload individually and to prevent overload or overtraining states. The hormonesstudied and the TT/C ratio have several modulators and are mainly dependent onthe moment of the season (planning and training workload). The interpretation ofthe studied parameters has to be made individually, not as an attempt to evaluatethe team’s general state. Future investigations are needed to study moremodulator variables (mood state, training intensity, diet, etc.) in relation withendocrine markers.

Schelling, X.1, Calleja-González, J. 2, Terrados, N. 3, Mjaanes, J. 4, Benjamin, H. 5,1Bàsquet Manresa, Catalunya (Spain). 2Universidad del País Vasco, Vitoria (Spain). 3Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias (Spain). 4 Rush University Medical Center, IL (USA). 5 University of Chicago, IL (USA)

Literature relatedHackney, A. and A. Viru (2008). "Research methodology: endocrinologic

measurements in exercise science and sports medicine." J Athl Train. 43(6):631–639.

Hoffman, J. R., S. Epstein, et al. (1999). "Hormonal and biochemical changes inelite basketball players during a 4-week training camp." J Strenght Cond Res13(3): 280-285.

Martínez, A. C., J. Seco, et al. (2010). "Testosterone and Cortisol Changes inProfessional Basketball Players Through a Season Competition." J StrengthCond Res 24(4): 1102-1108.

Figure 3. . Microcycles and blood extractions.G: Game; X: Copa del Rey rest. ▲: Blood extraction.

For further informationPlease contact to Xavi Schelling ender80@hotmail.com or on Twitter: @xschelling. More information on this (PDF-version of the poster) and related projects can be obtained at www.xavischelling.com.

Testosterone And Cortisol With Relation To Training Volume And Playing Time In Professional Spanish Basketballers

Figures 1 and 2. Blood samples (left). Basketball player (right)

Figure 4. % variation of Total Testosterone

Figure 5. % variation of T/C ratio

Figure 6. % variation of Cortisol

Figure 7. Training volume during the season

Table 1. Correlations between variables.