URINARY EPINEPHRINE AND NOREPINEPHRINE LEVELS IN WOMEN ATHLETES DURING TRAINING AND COMPETITION

Two groups of women athletes were studied to determine whether changes in catecholamine [c] excretion reflect the added mental stress of athletic competition on physical effort. An intercollegiate basketball team and a group of track and field athletes volunteered as subjects. Competitive epinephrine [E] urinary levels were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than training levels. A concomitant rise in the norepinephrine with an increase in physical effort was observed in both groups of athletes following training sessions and after athletic competition. Track and field athletes trying to qualify for an international team exhibited significantly (P < 0.01) higher E levels than the team members. Anticipation of competition imposed a mental stress on the athletes. Changes in the C pattern against a normal work load have not been established.