Hormonal (Cortical-Gonadotropic Axis) and Physical Changes With Two Years Intense Exercise Training in Elite Young Soccer Players

J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Sep;31(9):2388-2397. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001664.

Abstract

Hammami, MA, Ben Abderrahman, A, Hackney, AC, Kebsi, W, Owen, AL, Nebigh, A, Racil, G, Tabka, Z, and Zouhal, H. Hormonal (cortical-gonadotropic axis) and physical changes with two years intense exercise training in elite young soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2388-2397, 2017-The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 2 soccer-training seasons on physical fitness and hormone concentrations in elite youth soccer players. Twenty male elite soccer players (SP, age 14.5 ± 0.4 years) and 20 male control subjects (CS, age 14.3 ± 0.3 years) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, aerobic (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 [YYIRT1]) and anaerobic soccer relevant performances (jump and sprint tests), blood testosterone (T), cortisol (C), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and T/C ratio were assessed 5 times (from T0 to T4) during 2 competitive seasons. Significant differences from basal values (Δ) of T, SHBG, and C between SP and CS were observed (p < 0.01). Additionally, T and T/C ratio changes were positively correlated with physical performance (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, as expected, higher T concentration and greater power performance were observed in the soccer players group compared with controls. Our findings also show that the T concentrations and power performance outcomes co-vary positively over the 2 soccer seasons in soccer players.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Athletic Performance / physiology*
  • Body Weights and Measures
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / biosynthesis*
  • Male
  • Physical Fitness / physiology
  • Seasons
  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / biosynthesis*
  • Soccer / physiology*
  • Testosterone / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
  • Testosterone
  • Hydrocortisone