Effects of competition and its outcome on serum testosterone, cortisol andprolactin

In various species, competitive encounters influence hormonal responses in a different way depending on their outcome, victory or defeat. This study a imed to investigate the effects of sports competition and its outcome on ho rmonal response, comparing it with those displayed in situations involving non-effort and non-competitive effort. To this end, serum testosterone (T), cortisol (C) and prolactin (PRL) were measured in 26 judoists who particip ated in three sessions (control, judo fight and ergometry). The relationshi p between hormonal changes and psychological variables before and after the fight were also analysed. Our results showed a hormonal response to compet ition, which was especially characterized by an anticipatory rise of T and C. Depending on outcome, significant higher C levels were found in winners in comparison to losers through all the competition but not in T off PRL, b oth groups expending a similar physical effort. Furthermore, similar hormon al responses to the fight and to a non-competitive effort with the same cal oric cost were found, other than with PRL. Winners showed a higher appraisa l of their performance and satisfaction with the outcome, and perceived the mselves as having more ability to win than losers, although there were no s ignificant differences in motivation to win. Finally, the relationships fou nd between T changes in competition and motivation to win, as well as betwe en C response and self-efficacy suggest that in humans hormonal response to competition is not a direct consequence of winning and losing but rather i s mediated by complex psychological processes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.