Stress adaptation in athletes: relation of lipoprotein levels to hormonal response

Increased physical stress is produced in acute exercise conditions before and during a physical trial. The effects of the physical stress on lipid and lipoprotein parameters as well as on testosterone and cortisol levels were examined in male elite athletes. In a sample of 22 measured athletes, 11 showed increases and 11 showed decreases in testosterone levels. Subsequently these subjects were treated as two separate groups for statistical purposes in order to characterise the source of individual differences in response to a stressor. Group 1 showed a 16.1% significant increase in testosterone levels, 13.3% in total cholesterol and low density lipoproteins, and a 105% increase in testosterone/cortisol ratio immediately after an acute bout of physical stress of 30 s. Group 2 showed a -25.8% significant decline in testosterone levels and no significant change in either total cholesterol or lipoprotein concentrations, followed by a significant correlation of all lipid and hormonal parameters to psychophysiological factors, such as skin temperature. A measurement of testosterone/cortisol and total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels after a bout of acute physical stress may give a picture of the ability to "respond quickly" to stress, which will be useful in assessing the performance of the elite athlete.