Salivary steroid changes and physical performance in highly trained cyclists

The purpose of this work was to study the seasonal salivary cortisol and testosterone changes, and their relationships with lean body mass variations, in highly trained cyclists. Physical fitness, body composition (6 skinfolds) and basal salivary testosterone were evaluated in 7 male cyclists, on two separate occasions. The first assessment was made at the onset of the competitive season and the second 6 months later. Two kinds of exercise tests were carried out. The first test was an incremental exercise test to determine the maximum O2 consumption (VO2max) and the maximum workload (Wmax). We also measured the VO2 and workload (W) attained at the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VO2VT1, WVT1, VO2VT2, WVT2). During the tests the VO2 was recorded every 30 seconds (Oxycon-5, Mijhardt BV, Odijk). As a second test two days later, we assessed the anaerobic capacity expressed as the maximal accumulated O2 deficit (MAOD). Briefly, each subject underwent five submaximal exercises each lasting 6 min at an intensity of 200, 220, 240, 260 and 280 W. We estimated individually the O2 demand by extrapolating the linear relationship between the power and the O2 demand previously established. Afterwards the subjects performed a supramaximal bout at an intensity producing exhaustion between 2 and 4 minutes. The accumulated O2 demand was calculated by multiplying the O2 demand by the supramaximal test duration. The MAOD was computed as the difference between the accumulated O2 demand and the O2 consumed during the supramaximal rides. We found a significant increase in some physical fitness parameters related to aerobic capacity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)