Chronoendocrinological studies in athletes. III. Certain psychoendocrinological correlations

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Psychology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Circadian rhythms influence physiological and psychological functions.
• Understanding these rhythms in athletes is crucial for performance and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate circadian rhythms in psychological parameters of athletes.
• To explore correlations between personality factors and circadian hormone levels in fencers.

Main Methods:

• Cosinor analysis was used to validate and quantify circadian rhythms in 83 healthy athletes.
• The Cattell 16PF questionnaire assessed personality factors in 32 fencers.
• Blood samples were analyzed for hormone concentrations (T3, TSH, CSL, T, HGH, IRI).

Main Results:

• Statistically significant circadian rhythms were found in psychological parameters like well-being, activation, and mood.
• Significant correlations were observed between certain personality factors and mean circadian hormone blood concentrations in fencers.
• No significant correlations were found between Eysenck test or D48 test parameters and the studied circadian hormone levels.

Conclusions:

• Circadian rhythms significantly impact psychological states in healthy athletes.
• Specific personality traits may interact with hormonal circadian patterns in athletes.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between personality, hormones, and circadian rhythms in athletic populations.