Competition stage influences perceived performance but does not affect rating of perceived exertion and salivary neuro-endocrine-immune markers in elite young basketball players

Author(s)

Schultz de Arruda, Ademir Felipe ^[1] ; Aoki, Marcelo Saldanha ^[2] ; Paludo, Ana Carolina ^[1] ; Drago, Gustavo ^[1] ; Moreira, Alexandre ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Dept Sport, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Arts Sci & Humanities, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Physiology & Behavior; v. 188, p. 151-156, MAY 1 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

This study examined the effects of competition stage on the salivary concentration of testosterone (T), cortisol (C), alpha-amylase (sAA), and IL-1 beta cytokine, perceived performance (PP) and session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) in elite youth basketball players (age, 15.8 +/- 0.8 yrs.; stature, 190.9 +/- 7.9 cm; body mass, 90.0 +/- 16.9 kg) from two age-categories (U16; n = 7; U17; n = 7). Two winning playoff matches (FM; playing for the championship; 1 for each age-category) and two winning regular stage matches (RM; 1 for each age category, played against opponents ranked 2nd place), were assessed in the current study. Saliva samples were collected before and after each match and analyzed by EL1SA; PP and session-RPE were assessed after each match. The results from the two-way ANOVA (condition; FM and RM) with repeated measures (pre- and post matches) showed a significant effect for time (increase from pre-to-post matches) in T (F = 7.0, p < .001), C (F = 34.0, p < .001), and sAA (F = 25.0, p < .001), but not for IL-1 beta (p > .05). No effect of condition or interaction (FM and RM) was observed on salivary markers. PP was higher for FM, compared to RM (effect size; ES = 0.85), despite no clear difference in session-RPE (ES = 0.22). A higher PP for FM might be associated with the fact that players were no longer concerned about issues linked to social dominance and status threats after FM, but they might be uncertain about their status after RM. Additionally, when playing against a high-level opponent, the players might perceive their opponent as a threat against status stability, regardless of the stage of the competition, which might explain the similar change in salivary neuro-endocrine-immune-related markers. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/13325-3 - The effect of the opponent level, competitive phase, and performance on hormonal and behavioural responses of youth basketball players: an approach based on the Biosocial model status
• Grantee: Alexandre Moreira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants