Competition Seriousness and Competition Level Modulate Testosterone and Cortisol Responses in Soccer Players

Manuel Jiménez, José Ramón Alvero-Cruz, Juan Solla, Jorge García-Bastida, Virginia García-Coll, Iván Rivilla, Enrique Ruiz, Jerónimo García-Romero, Elvis A. Carnero and Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez
Additional contact information
Manuel Jiménez: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz 137, 26002 Logroño, Spain
José Ramón Alvero-Cruz: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Juan Solla: Grupo de Investigación Hi20, Universidad de Vigo, Campus a Xunqueira s/n, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain
Jorge García-Bastida: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz 137, 26002 Logroño, Spain
Virginia García-Coll: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz 137, 26002 Logroño, Spain
Iván Rivilla: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz 137, 26002 Logroño, Spain
Enrique Ruiz: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz 137, 26002 Logroño, Spain
Jerónimo García-Romero: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Elvis A. Carnero: Research Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Florida Hospital Sanford, Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 301 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32804, USA
Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez: Faculty of Sports Science, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the modulating effect of competition seriousness and competition level in the testosterone and cortisol responses in professional soccer player. Ninety five (95) soccer players were included in this study (professional, n = 39; semiprofessional, n = 27; amateur, n = 29) before and after training, friendly game and official games. Repeated measures ANOVA showed higher testosterone levels (F (1,89) = 134, p < 0.0001, η 2 p = 0.75) in professional soccer players, when compared with semiprofessional ( p < 0.0001) or amateur athletes ( p < 0.0001). After winning a competition game an increase in testosterone levels was observed in professionals (t = −3.456, p < 0.001), semiprofessionals (t = −4.400, p < 0.0001), and amateurs (t = −2.835, p < 0.009). In contrast, this momentary hormonal fluctuation was not observed after winning a friendly game or during a regular training day. Additionally, statistical analysis indicated that cortisol levels were lower in professional (t = −3.456, p < 0.001) and semiprofessional athletes (t = −4.400, p < 0.0001) than in amateurs (t = −2.835, p < 0.009). In soccer players a rise in testosterone was only observable when the team was faced with an actual challenge but did not support a different response between categories. Thus, the desire to achieve a goal (and keep the social status) may be one of the key reasons why testosterone levels rise promptly. Conversely, testosterone did not change after friendly games, which suggests these situations are not real goals and the players do not perceive an actual threat (in terms of dominance) more than the preparation for their next competitive game.

Keywords: soccer; competitive behaviour; winner effect; social dominance; testosterone; cortisol (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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