Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(11): 856-863
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-923778
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The 24 h Urinary Cortisol/Cortisone Ratio and Epinephrine/Norepinephrine Ratio for Monitoring Training in Young Female Tennis Players

M. Rouveix1 , M. Duclos2 , C. Gouarne2 , M. C. Beauvieux3 , E. Filaire1
  • 1Laboratoire Biologie des Activités Physiques et Sportives. UFRSTAPS Clermont-Ferrand, France
  • 2Laboratoire Neurogénétique et Stress, INRA UMR1243 Institut François Magendie, Bordeaux Cedex, France
  • 3Laboratoire de Biochimie, Hôpital Haut Lévêque, CHU Bordeaux, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: December 5, 2005

Publication Date:
14 February 2006 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The effect of training variations on the 24 h urinary cortisol/cortisone (C/Cn) ratio and the epinephrine/norepinephrine (E/NE) ratio in relation with mood (evaluated using the Brunel Mood Scale: BRUMS) and performance was investigated in seven trained young female tennis players (12.8 ± 1.7 years). Like the proposed model in adults, the monitoring of hormonal and mood parameters could be a useful index in training follow-up in young sportswomen. Assessment of nutritional intake, nitrogen excretion rate and nitrogen balance were also determined to measure the dietary practice of these athletes. Nitrogen balance was calculated from the mean daily protein intake and the urinary nitrogen excretion. Data were collected after a 1-month rest (September, T1), 3 months after T1 (after technical and endurance training: December, T2) and 7 months after T1 (after 4 months of increasing-volume/high-intensity training: March, T3). A significant increase in C/Cn ratio (+ 30 %, p < 0.05) were noted from T1 to T3. In the same time, urinary NE concentrations decreased significantly. The E/NE ratio increased from T1 to T2 and decreased at T3 (T1 vs. T3: - 30 %, p < 0.05). The BRUMS inventory at T3 reflected changes in specific mood states with a significant increase in fatigue and anger scores, while vigor scores decreased significantly compared to T1. This period also corresponded with the lowest percentage of matches won and with the highest training load. Energy intake was about 16 % lower than the French recommendations for girls of the same age. However, a positive nitrogen balance was observed from a mean intake of 1.0 g · kg-1 · day-1. Our results reveal that an increase of overnight urinary C/Cn ratio and a decrease of E/NE ratio are concomitant with alterations in mood state and performance, all these parameters being associated with physical and psychological stress.

Key words

Hormone - adolescent female - mood - training - tennis

References

  • 1 Adlercreutz H, Härkönen M, Kuoppasalmi K, Näveri H, Huhtaniemi I, Tikkanen H, Remes K, Dessypris A, Karvonen J. Effect of training on plasma anabolic and catabolic steroid hormones and their response during physical exercise.  Int J Sports Med. 1986;  7 27-28
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Atlaoui D, Duclos M, Gouarne C, Lacoste L, Barale F, Chatard J C. The 24 h urinary cortisol/cortisone ratio for monitoring training in elite training in elite swimmers.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;  36 218-224
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Atlaoui D, Duclos M, Gouarne C, Lacoste L, Barale F, Chatard J C. The 24 h urinary catecholamine excretion, training and performance in elite swimmers.  Int J Sports Med. 2005; 
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Baron R R, Petschning N, Bachl G, Raberger G, Smekal G, Kastner P. Catecholamine excretion and heart rate as factors of psychophysical stress in table tennis.  Int J Sports Med. 1992;  13 501-505
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Beedie C J, Terry P C, Lane A M. The profile of mood states and athletic performance: Two meta-analyses.  J Appl Sport Psychol. 2000;  12 49-68
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Boisseau N, Le Creff C, Loyens M, Poortmans J R. Protein intake and nitrogen balance in male nonactive adolescents and soccer players.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;  88 288-293
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Bright G M. Corticosteroid-binding globulin influences kinetic parameters of plasma cortisol transport and clearance.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1995;  80 770-775
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Cameron J L. Search for the signal that conveys metabolic status to reproductive axis.  Curr Opin Endocrinol. 1997;  4 158-163
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Chatard J C, Duclos M. Le suivi hormonal des sportifs. Lutter Contre le Dopage en Gérant la Récupération Physique. St. Etienne; Publications de l'Université de Saint Etienne 2003: 129-135
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 10 Daly R M, Rich P A, Klein R. Hormonal responses to physical training in high-level peribubertal male gymnasts.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1998;  79 74-81
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Duclos M, Corcuff J B, Arsac L, Moreau-Gaudry F, Rashedi M, Roger P, Tabarin A, Manier G. Corticotroph axis sensitivity after exercise in endurance-trained athletes.  Clin Endocrinol. 1998;  48 493-501
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Duclos M, Gouarne C, Bonnemaison D. Acute and chronic effects of exercise on tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids.  J Appl Physiol. 2003;  94 869-875
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Dwyer J, Picciano M F, Raiten D J. Food and dietary supplement databases for what we eat in America-NHANES.  J Nutr. 2003;  133 624S-634S
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 FAO/WHO .Joint Expert Committee: Energy and Protein Requirements, Tech Rep Series no. 724. Geneva; World Health Organisation 1986: 126
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 15 Filaire E, Duché P, Lac G. Dehydroepiandrosterone/Cortisol ratio: is this index in females a possible equivalent of the free testosterone/cortisol ratio (FT/C) in males?.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1998;  38 85-89
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Gouarne C, Groussard C, Gratas-Delamarche A, Delamarche P, Duclos M. Overnight urinary cortisol and cortisone add new insights into adaptation to training.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005;  37 1157-1167
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Grasso G, Lodi L, Lupo C, Muscettola M. Glucocorticoid receptors in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in relation to age and to sport activity.  Life Sci. 1997;  61 301-308
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Grimble G K, Acuti A BC, Rees R G, Hunjan M K, Webster J D, Frost P G, Silk D B. Assessment of an automated chemiluminescence nitrogen analyzer for routine use in clinical nutition.  J Parenter Enter Nutr. 1988;  12 100-106
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Hansen A M, Garde A H, Skovgaard L T, Christensen J M. Seasonal and biological variation of urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol in healthy women.  Clin Chim Acta. 2001;  309 25-35
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Hay M, Mormede P. Improved determination of urinary cortisol and cortisone, or corticosterone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorbance dtection.  J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl. 1997;  702 33-39
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Hay M, Mormede P. Determination of catecholamines and methoxycatecholamines excretion patterns in pig and rat urine by ion-exchange liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.  J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl. 1997;  703 15-23
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Hjemdahl P. Plasma catecholamines-analytical challenges and physiological limitations.  Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993;  7 307-353
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Hooper S L, Mackinnon L T, Howard A. Physiological and psychometric variables for monitoring recovery during tapering for major competition.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;  31 1205-1210
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Knöpfli B, Calvert R, Bar-Or O, Villiger B, Von Duvillard S P. Competition performance and basal nocturnal catecholamine excretion in cross-country skiers.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  7 1228-1232
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Kraemer R R, Acevedo E O, Synovitz L B, Hebert E P, Gimpel T, Castracane V D. Leptin and steroid hormone responses to exercise in adolescent female runners over a 7-week season.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001;  86 85-91
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Lehmann M, Jakob E, Roscher E, Tusch R, Keul J. Ski-flying: related catecholamine excretion compared with cross-country skiing.  Int J Sports Med. 1988;  9 438-442
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Lehmann M, Schnee W, Stockhausen M, Bachl N. Decreased nocturnal catecholamine excretion: parameter for an overtraining syndrome in athletes.  Int J Sport Med. 1992;  13 236-242
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Marshall W A, Tanner J M. Variations in pattern of pubertal changes in girls.  Arch Dis Child. 1969;  44 291-303
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Mc Nair D M, Loor M, Droppleman L F. Revised Manual for the Profile of Mood States. San Diego, CA; Educational and Industrial Testing Services 1992
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 30 Morgan W P, O'Connor P J, Sparling P B, Pate R R. Psychological characterization of the elite female distance runner.  Int J Sports Med. 1987;  8 124-131
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 31 Quinkler M, Oelkers W, Diederich S. Clinical implications of glucocorticoid metabolism by 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in target tissues.  Eur J Endocrinol. 2001;  144 87-97
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 32 Renger R. A review of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) in the prediction of athletic success.  J Appl Sport Psychol. 1993;  5 78-84
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 33 Seckl J R, Walker B R. Minireview: 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1-a tissue-specific amplifier of glucocorticoid action.  Endocrinol. 2001;  142 1371-1376
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 34 Slaughter M H, Lohmann T G, Boileau R A, Horsevill C A, Stillman R J, van Loan M D, Bemben D A. Skinfold equations for estimations of body fatness in children and youth.  Hum Biol. 1988;  60 709-734
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 35 Therminarias A, Dansou P, Chirpaz-Oddou M F, Quirion A. Effects of age on heart rate response during a strenuous match of tennis.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1990;  30 389-396
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 36 Terry P, Coakley L, Karageorghis C. Effects of intervention upon precompetition state anxiety in elite junior tennis players: the relevance of the matching hypothesis.  Percept Mot Skills. 1995;  81 287-296
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 37 Terry P C, Lane A M, Lane H, Keohane L. Development and validation of a mood measure for adolescents.  J Sports Sci. 1999;  17 861-872
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 38 Urhausen A, Gabriel H, Kindermann W. Blood hormones as markers of training stress and overtraining.  Sports Med. 1995;  20 251-276
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 39 Urhausen A, Gabriel H H, Kindermann W. Impaired pituitary hormonal response to exhaustive exercise in overtrained athletes.  Med Sci Sport Exerc. 1998;  30 407-414
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 40 Urhausen A, Kindermann W. Diagnosis of overtraining. What tools do we have?.  Sports Med. 2002;  32 95-102
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 41 Su-vi-max. Portions alimentaires, Manuel photos pour l'estimation des quantités. Candia (ed) Polytechnica 1994
  • 42 Vidailhet M. Apports nutritionnels conseillés pour les enfants et adolescents sportifs de haut niveau de performance. Paris; Ed Tec et Doc 2004
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 43 Walker B R, Best R, Noon J P, Watt G CM, Webb D J. Seasonal variation in glucocorticoid activity in healthy men.  J Clinical Endocrinol Metabolism. 1997;  82 4015-4019
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 44 Weimann E, Witzel C, Schwidergall S, Böhles H J. Peripubertal perturbations in elite gymnasts caused by sport specific training regimes and inadequate nutrition intake.  Int J Sports Med. 1999;  21 210-215
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Dr. Edith Filaire

Laboratoire BAPS. UFRSTAPS

BP104 Campus des Cézeaux

63172 Aubière

France

Email: efilaire@nat.fr