A. Tsopanakis et al., STRESS-ADAPTATION IN ATHLETES - RELATION OF LIPOPROTEIN LEVELS TO HORMONAL RESPONSE, Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior, 48(2), 1994, pp. 377-382
Increased physical stress is produced in acute exercise conditions bef
ore and during a physical trial. The effects of the physical stress on
lipid and lipoprotein parameters as well as on testosterone and corti
sol levels were examined in male elite athletes. In a sample of 22 mea
sured athletes, 11 showed increases and 11 showed decreases in testost
erone levels. Subsequently these subjects were treated as two separate
groups for statistical purposes in order to characterise the source o
f individual differences in response to a stressor. Group 1 showed a 1
6.1% significant increase in testosterone levels, 13.3% in total chole
sterol and low density lipoproteins, and a 105% increase in testostero
ne/cortisol ratio immediately after an acute bout of physical stress o
f 30 s. Group 2 showed a -25.8% significant decline in testosterone le
vels and no significant change in either total cholesterol or lipoprot
ein concentrations, followed by a significant correlation of all lipid
and hormonal parameters to psychophysiological factors, such as skin
temperature. A measurement of testosterone/cortisol and total choleste
rol and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels after a bout of acute
physical stress may give a picture of the ability to ''respond quickly
'' to stress, which will be useful in assessing the performance of the
elite athlete.