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Acute Adrenal Suppression Following Resistance Training in Elite Female Athletes: A Comprehensive Steroid Profile
Sabrina Vollrath1,2, Norman Bitterlich3, Dennis Lüdin2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Aim: This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate acute adrenal-derived hormonal responses and training performance in elite female athletes during resistance training with respect to the female cycle. Methods: In 19 elite female athletes, acute hormonal responses to resistance training were examined over four weeks, measured before and 60 min after exercise. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry provided a comprehensive steroid profile, including classical and adrenal-specific 11-oxygenated androgens. Performance metrics were tracked using a velocity-based training method. Results: Sixty minutes after resistance training, significant acute changes in steroid hormone concentrations were observed. Levels of 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11OHA4) (-0.707 nmol/L; p = 0.012, -20.0%), androsterone (-0.201 nmol/L; p = 0.049, -14.8%), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (-3.813 nmol/L; p = 0.006, -17.1%) decreased significantly. The total sum of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and bioactive androgens decreased. No significant differences in absolute or relative velocity loss and estimated one-repetition maximum were observed, suggesting comparable strength and fatigue across menstrual cycle phases. Conclusions: The observed post-exercise decline in glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens such as DHEA indicates a coordinated acute suppression of adrenal steroidogenesis in response to resistance training in female elite athletes. No differences in strength parameters were observed across menstrual cycle phases.
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