Background: The purposes of this study were to determine differences in training loads and stress hormones among national level powerlifting competitors and the effect on performance.
Methods: Thirteen experienced male powerlifters provided detailed training logs during the 8 weeks prior to a national competition. Participants were divided into linear (LP, N.=6) and undulating periodization (UP, N.=7) training groups. Following weigh-ins and after successfully completing the competition, participants provided saliva samples.
Results: LP resulted in lower levels of salivary cortisol (sC) (LP 4.27±0.71 nmols/L; UP 5.53±0.78 nmols/L) and higher testosterone-to-cortisol ratio (T:C) (LP 8.03±0.84 nmols/L; UP 5.23±1.41 nmols/L) compared to UP prior to competition. Following competition, both LP and UP groups had significant increases in salivary testosterone (sT) (LP 383.70±34.96 nmols/L; UP 376.62±38.17 nmols/L) and sC (LP 17.67±1.39 nmols/L; UP 18.17±1.46 nmols/L) and significant reductions in T:C (LP 8.03±0.80 to 6.67±0.83; UP 5.23±1.41 to 4.95±1.00). Finally, the UP group had a significantly higher Wilks coefficient following the competition compared to the LP group (LP 440.7±31.83 vs. UP 480.29±24.13).
Conclusions: It appears that the higher volume loads undertaken by UP have a larger perturbation on resting stress hormones; however, this does not seem to negatively influence powerlifting performance.