Testosterone/cortisol ratio as a biomarker to predict podium results: evidence from adolescent and master rowers.

Purpose: Since the testosterone/cortisol ratio can be used as a predictor of performance, the podium results were correlated to this ratio in a sample of adolescent and master non-elite rowers. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the role of these biomarkers in these peculiar types of athletes. Methods: Athletes (adolescents 12-18 yrs vs masters 35-55 yrs) have been tested for determining saliva content of performance biomarkers, cortisol and testosterone, before and after competitions. Specifically, samples have been taken in the morning, before and after the race. Results: A substantial change in the levels of both cortisol and testosterone has been observed throughout the sampling time in young and master athletes, suggesting a different adaptation to the stress of the race. Interestingly, also a correlation between podium results and the testosterone/cortisol ratio was observed in these two categories of rowers. Conclusion: Although age differences, the two sets of subjects used in this study show some similarities in the ability to cope with stressors, as a rowing race. As a matter of fact among rowing athletes, either juniors and masters are not considered as elite competitors and most races are at amateur level, this may explain the changes observed in their hormone levels. Nonetheless, at least in these categories, a different profile of response to stress and motivation characterized by an altered testosterone/cortisol ratio could predict performance more accurately than the training level.