Preliminary results on mood state, salivary testosterone:cortisol ratio and team performance in a professional soccer team

Mood, as measured by the profile of mood states questionnaire (POMS), salivary cortisol (F) and testosterone (T) levels, and performance were examined in 17 male soccer players 4 times during a season. Soccer players provided three saliva samples when getting up (resting values, 8 a.m.), before breakfast (11.30 a.m.), and between 4.00p.m. and 6.00 p.m. The initial measures were performed I day following the start of season training (TI). They were then performed before and after a high-intensity training programme (T-2 and T-3, respectively) and 16 weeks after T-3 (T-4). Iceberg profiles of POMS were observed during T-1, T-2 and T-3, which coincided with successful performance. Subsequent decreased performance between T-3 and T-4 coincided with a decrease in vigor and an increase in tension and depression. Indeed, when the normal nycthemeral rhythm for F was observed (i.e. a decrease from morning until evening at all times; T-1-T-4), there was seemingly a non-statistical elevation of F on the morning of T-3, which only became statistically significant at 11.30 a.m. on T-3. In spite of a post-high-intensity training programme (T-3) increase in catabolism, the soccer players presented iceberg profiles together with a high percentage of winning. Our results could suggest that in team soccer, a decreased T:F ratio does not automatically lead to a decrease in team performance or a state of team overtraining. It appears that combined psychological and physiological changes during high-intensity training are primarily of interest when monitoring training stress in relation to performance.