Monitoring the training effect in different periods in elite athletes

Performance of elite athletes depends on their technical, physiological and psychological abilities. Different sports require various levels of aerobic, anaerobic, speed, power, agility, and strength capacities. Elite athletes and athletes who aim to become elite usually train year-round with carefully designed training programs. The close monitoring of physical capacities during the entire training period is essential for elite athletes to investigate the effect of the training program and determine if the recovery is sufficient. This study summarized the changes in aerobic and anaerobic capacity in different training periods in athletes of various sports. In addition to fitness tests, testosterone-to-cortisol ratio may be a useful indicator for the balance between anabolic and catabolic states. Testosterone-to-cortisol ratio may be measured in different training periods to estimate the degree of recovery.