PRE- AND POST-START HORMONE LEVELS IN BLOOD AS AN INDICATOR OF PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL LOAD WITH JUNIOR JUDO COMPETITORS Hormone levels in blood

The objective of the study was: (i) identification of pre-start and start stress with junior judo competitors, (ii) analysis of relationship between the hormonal status and the results. The objectives were attained by measurements in 7 judo competitors of cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) concentration in capillary blood taken in the morning on several dates: under neutral conditions (NC), 21 days before the Junior Judo European Championship (-21D), 4 days before the competition (-4D), on the start day, i.e. on the day of qualification fights (0D) and on the following day (RD). On the start day, with all the tested competitors there was a significantly higher level C (p < 0.05) in relation to the previous dates. In the tested group, on the morning of the start day one competitor had a lowered T level (5.1 nmol/L) and the highest C level in the group C (740 nmol/L) while average values with the other 6 tested competitors were 27.6 ± 8.1 and 598 ± 74 nmol/L for T and C respectively. The competitor with the temporary pre-start hyper-cortisolism and hypo-androgenism manifested lower mood before the start and during the only lost fight he displayed much passivity in relation to the opponent. On the other hand, the other competitors, including two medal winners, demonstrated offensive behaviour and determination during the competition. The results confirmed the known impact of pre-start stress on increased activity of the adrenal cortex and the significance of the appropriately high testosterone level as a condition for success. On the other hand, temporary inhibition of testosterone production as a result of pre-start stress with sportsmen has not been recorded in literature.