Testosterone, and winning and losing in human competition

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Endocrinology
• Psychology

Background:

• Hormonal fluctuations, such as testosterone and cortisol, are linked to social status and competitive outcomes.
• Understanding these hormonal dynamics in athletes can provide insights into performance and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between testosterone and cortisol levels and match outcomes in university tennis players.
• To examine how hormonal changes before and after matches influence mood, performance evaluation, and subsequent match expectations.

Main Methods:

• Salivary testosterone and cortisol levels were measured in six university tennis players across six matches.
• Hormone levels were analyzed in relation to pre-match expectations, match results (win/loss), post-match mood, and self-performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• Testosterone levels increased before matches, with higher pre-match levels correlating with improved pre-match mood.
• Winners showed increased testosterone compared to losers post-match, particularly those with positive moods and high self-performance evaluations.
• Rising testosterone in winners predicted higher testosterone before the next match, whereas falling testosterone in losers predicted lower levels.

Conclusions:

• Testosterone dynamics are closely tied to competitive success and psychological states in athletes.
• Cortisol levels were associated with player seeding and showed a decline throughout the season, independent of match outcomes.
• Findings support a biosocial theory of status, highlighting the interplay between hormones, social hierarchy, and competitive performance.