OVERTRAINING PARAMETERS IN SPECIAL MILITARY UNITS

Background: Previous studies have shown the diagnostic relevance of th e so-called free testosterone/cortisol ratio (FTCR). A condition of ov ertraining might indeed exist in an athlete when at least one of the t wo following criteria are observed: a) a FTCR value lower than 0.00035 (FT in nmol . L-1 and C in mu mol . L-1); and b) a decrease in the FT CR of 30% or more. On the other hand, no previous research has studied the incidence of overtraining in special military units as a result o f their demanding training programs. Hypothesis: A percentage of recru its of the Spanish special military Unit, ''Grupo de Operaciones Espec iales,'' (GOES) might be overtrained. it was the purpose of our study to analyze the effects on the FTCR of an intense physical training pro gram performed by recruits of the GOES. Methods: Before (PRE) and afte r (POST) an 8-wk training program, respectively, the following measure ments were made in 42 recruits of the GOES: hematological and hormonal parameters (FTCR), aerobic and anaerobic tests, and strength and powe r tests. Results: A high incidence (10 subjects, 23.8% of total) of ov ertraining existed among conscripts, as determined by the absolute cri terium of a decline in the FCTR of 30% or more when comparing PRE and POST values. Additionally, overtraining was associated with a decrease in performance (i.e., isometric strength, vertical jump, Wingate test s). Conclusions: In addition to some conventional measurements of perf ormance, the FTCR might be used to monitor exercise training in milita ry units, in order to prevent overtraining.