Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Sinnott-O'Connor, C;Comyns, TM;Nevill, AM;Warrington, GD
2018
August
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
Salivary Biomarkers and Training Load During Training and Competition in Paralympic Swimmers
Published
11 ()
Optional Fields
ALPHA-AMYLASE EXERCISE PLAYERS IGA PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS INTENSITY INFECTION RESPONSES CORTISOL
13
839
843
Context: Stress responses in athletes can be attributed to training and competition, where increased physiological and psychological stress may negatively affect performance and recovery. Purpose: To examine the relationship between training load (TL) and salivary biomarkers immunoglobulin A (IgA), alpha-amylase (AA), and cortisol across a 16-wk preparation phase and 10-d competition phase in Paralympic swimmers. Methods: Four Paralympic swimmers provided biweekly saliva samples during 3 training phases- (1) normal training, (2) intensified training, and (3) taper-as well as daily saliva samples in the I 0-d Paralympic competition (2016 Paralympic Games). TL was measured using session rating of perceived exertion. Results: Multilevel analysis identified a significant increase in salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA: 94.98 [27.69] mu g.mL(-1)), salivary alpha-amylase (sAA: 45.78 [19.07] mu g.mL(-1)), and salivary cortisol (7.92 [2.17] nM) during intensified training concurrent with a 38.3% increase in TL. During the taper phase, a 493% decrease in TL from the intensified training phase resulted in a decrease in sIgA, sAA, and salivary cortisol; however, all 3 remained higher than baseline levels. A further significant increase was observed during competition in sIgA (168.69 [24.19] mu g.mL(-1)), sAA (35.86 [16.67] mu g.mL(-1)), and salivary cortisol (10.49 [1.89] nM) despite a continued decrease (77.8%) in TL from the taper phase. Conclusions: Results demonstrate that performance in major competition such as Paralympic games, despite a noticeable reduction in TL, induces a stress response in athletes. Because of the elevated stress response observed, modifications to individual postrace recovery protocols may be required to enable athletes to maximize performance across all 10 d of competition.
CHAMPAIGN
1555-0265
10.1123/ijspp.2017-0683
Grant Details