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Competition effects on physiological responses to exercise: performance, cardiorespiratory and hormonal factors
M Viru1, Anthony C Hackney, K Karelson
1Institute of Sport Pedagogy and Coaching Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Acta Physiologica Hungarica
|March 18, 2010
Summary
Competition significantly boosts exercise performance and peak oxygen uptake by enhancing motivation and the cortisol response. This suggests increased sympatho-adrenal system activation drives performance improvements in athletes.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Human Performance
Background:
- Understanding the physiological and psychological factors influencing athletic performance is crucial for optimizing training and competition strategies.
- Competition is known to elicit psychological states that can impact physiological responses and physical output.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for enhanced exercise performance observed under competitive conditions.
- To compare physiological responses during maximal exercise under both competitive and non-competitive laboratory settings.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen endurance-trained subjects completed incremental treadmill running to exhaustion in both control (non-competition) and simulated competition conditions.
- Continuous monitoring of heart rate and respiratory gases, with pre- and post-exercise blood sampling for lactate, cortisol, growth hormone, and testosterone.
Main Results:
- Exercise performance (running duration) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2) were significantly higher by 4.2% and 4.4%, respectively, in the competition condition (p<0.05).
- Cortisol levels were significantly elevated post-exercise in the competition condition, unlike the control condition.
- Hormonal responses (growth hormone, testosterone) increased significantly with exercise in both conditions, while key respiratory and lactate measures showed no significant differences.
Conclusions:
- Competitive environments enhance exercise performance and peak oxygen uptake, likely mediated by increased motivation and affective state.
- Augmented cortisol response in competition suggests enhanced sympatho-adrenal system activation contributes to performance improvements.
- The observed performance enhancement is substantial, comparable to some training program outcomes.
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