This study presents saliva Cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) levels in a group of
15 young wrestlers (national and international) during a two-days competition. Values
are compared to references established on a resting day (3 weeks before the competition).
Post-competition recovery was studied by recording evening hormonal levels (5.30 pm)
for 8 days. Results: C levels increased sharply (about 2.5 fold resting levels) throughout
the competition with no further changes in T levels. The rise in C appeared before
entering the competition, traducing a striking phenomenon of anticipation. At the
end of the competition, C levels fell very quickly (within 1.5 h) to basal value when
T rose significantly, resulting in a very high T/C ratio. During the recovery period,
C levels corresponded to basal ones and T remained high, resulting in a high T/C ratio
(>30 % than basal one) till the 5th day. Conclusion: Competition resulted in a low
T/C ratio, considered as a catabolic phase. The recovery which is associated with
a feeling of tiredness and an incapacity to train strenuously recognized by the trainers,
paradoxically corresponded to a high T/C ratio (so-called anabolic phase).
Key words
Wrestler - competition - recovery - Cortisol - testosterone
