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Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(6): 470-479
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-924557
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Salivary Cortisol, Testosterone, and T/C Ratio Responses during a 36-hole Golf Competition

B. K. Doan1 , R. U. Newton2 , W. J. Kraemer3 , Y.-H. Kwon4 , T. P. Scheet3
  • 1The U. S. Air Force Academy Human Performance Laboratory, USAF Academy, CO, USA
  • 2Edith Cowan University, School of Biomedical and Sports Science, Joondalup, Australia
  • 3Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
  • 4The Biomechanics Laboratory, Texas Women's University, Denton, TX, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: August 5, 2006

Publication Date:
16 November 2006 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to study the effects of 36 continuous holes of competitive golf on salivary testosterone, cortisol, and testosterone-to-cortisol ratio and their relation to performance in eight elite male collegiate golfers (age 20.3 [± 1.5] years). Thirty-six holes of a 54-hole NCAA golf tournament were played on the first day of the competition. A saliva sample was taken 45 minutes prior to the round and immediately following each hole for a total of 37 samples per subject. Time matched baseline samples were collected on a different day to account for circadian variation. Six-hole areas under the curve (AUC) values were calculated for endocrine measures. Significant (p < 0.05) increases were noted for cortisol during competition, however, testosterone did not change during competition compared to baseline. Testosterone-to-cortisol (T/C) ratio was significantly lower throughout the competition compared to baseline measures. Thirty-six-hole AUC testosterone-to-cortisol ratio response was correlated (r = 0.82) to 36-hole score. There was a high correlation between pre-round testosterone (r = 0.71), T/C ratio response (r = 0.82), and 36-hole score. CSAI-2 somatic anxiety was correlated to pre-round cortisol (r = 0.81) and testosterone (r = - 0.80) response. These results indicate a significant hormonal response during 10 hours of competitive golf. Good golf performance (low golf scores) in this competition was related to low T/C ratio (r = .82). Additionally, results from this investigation validated CSAI-2 somatic anxiety with physiological measures of anxiety.

Key words

Cortisol - testosterone - golf - CSAI-2 - testosterone-to-cortisol ratio

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Brandon K. Doan

The U. S. Air Force Academy Human Performance Laboratory
USAFA

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USAF Academy

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Email: brandon.doan@usafa.af.mil