Effects of a Soccer Tournament on the Psychohormonal States of Collegiate Female Players

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2021-07, Vol.35 (7), p.1873-1884
• Main Authors: Broodryk, Adele, Pienaar, Cindy, Edwards, David, Sparks, Martinique
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; Cortisol; Fatigue; Hormones; Mood; Saliva; Secretion; Soccer; Stress response
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002993

ABSTRACTBroodryk, A, Pienaar, C, Edwards, D, and Sparks, M. Effects of a soccer tournament on the psychohormonal states of collegiate female players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X)000–000, 2018—A gap exists in the literature concerning the connection between soccer playersʼ hormonal and psychological responses when playing a tournament, or even a match, and its outcome (victory or defeat). This study evaluates the effects of a week-long tournament on the psychohormonal states of collegiate female soccer players. Eight playersʼ cortisol (saliva sample), mood states (Incredibly Short Profile of Mood States [ISP]), and state-anxiety (state subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) were assessed 1 hour before and 15 minutes after every game. Cortisol increased significantly after most matches, with intramatch differences observed (p < 0.05, d > 1.2). Match intensity influenced cortisol secretion, with greater secretion as intensity increased. The ISP demonstrated intramatch differences for the subscalesʼ fatigue, depression, tension, and vigor (p < 0.05). Matches lost produced a higher total mood disturbance (TMD) index compared with matches won (p = 0.001, d = 1.4). Cortisol correlated with the TMD and various mood subscales before a winning outcome, with the ISP correlating at all times with the anxiety scores (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate that physiological and psychological variables combine to contribute to the stress response during a tournament. Focusing on high-intensity activities and minimizing fatigue are important, as both are associated with raised cortisol and negative mood states. Finally, implementing a mood questionnaire over a tournament can be beneficial, as sensitive information on playersʼ hormonal and perceived anxiety states, which subsequently affect physical performance, can be obtained.