USEFULNESS OF FREE TESTOSTERONE CORTISOL RATIO DURING A SEASON OF ELITE SPEED SKATING ATHLETES

Free testosterone/cortisol ratio (FTCR) was used in eight elite speed skaters (five males, three females), during an eight-month season, to study the effectiveness of the hormonal parameter as a marker of the c ondition of overstrain and/or incomplete recovery. We did not find val ues lower than 0.35 - 10(-3). We confirmed the reliability of the crit erion of FTCR decrease of 30 % or more to indicate temporary incomplet e recovery from intensive training and residual weariness and, consequ ently, of reduced effectiveness for competitive purposes; a formula wa s used in this case to calculate FTCR. When FTCR was calculated by usi ng directly measured FT, we remarked that such threshold criterion cou ld not be used and the significant decrease was of 18 % or more. The m ajor problem of FTCR is the limitation of its use to male athletes, al though the trend found in females was similar to that presented in mal es. FTCR is a useful index in elite speed skaters: broader application of this index and further investigation are required to set testing t imes, to use direct measurement of free testosterone and, finally, to find an equivalent support for women.