Concentrations of salivary testosterone, cortisol, and immunoglobulin A after supra-maximal exercise in female adolescents

J Sports Sci. 2010 Oct;28(12):1361-8. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2010.510144.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of supra-maximal exercise on circulating concentrations of salivary testosterone, salivary cortisol, and salivary immunoglobulin A in female adolescents. Nineteen apparently healthy females aged 15-16 years participated in this study. All participants completed 668 s sprints, interspersed with 30 s recovery intervals on a cycle ergometer. Salivary testosterone, cortisol, and immunoglobulin A samples were taken before and 5 min after exercise. Experimental procedures continued over two mornings, at least 3 h after a light breakfast. Participants refrained from performing any strenuous physical activity for at least 24 h prior to the exercise test. None of the participants were engaged in a structured training programme. The group mean (± s) for peak power output was 562 ± 113.0 W. Female adolescents recruited for this study showed no changes in salivary testosterone, cortisol or immunoglobulin A following repeated bouts of supra-maximal cycling (P > 0.05). To date, there has been a paucity of information concerning adolescents' hormonal and mucosal immune function responses to supra-maximal exercise. Our data provide further guidance with regard to physical activities and sports prescription for female adolescents. Further research, on a larger sample of females, is required to elucidate the physiological significance of these findings.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bicycling / physiology*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / analysis*
  • Immunity, Mucosal
  • Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / analysis*
  • Physical Exertion / physiology
  • Saliva / chemistry*
  • Testosterone / analysis*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A, Secretory
  • Testosterone
  • Hydrocortisone