Watching a previous victory produces an increase in testosterone among elite hockey players

Summary Previous research indicates that testosterone concentrations are highly responsive to human competitive interactions and that winners have elevated testosterone concentrations relative to losers. Also, there is some evidence that simply observing others compete can have a similar effect on t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010-04, Vol.35 (3), p.475-479
Main Authors: Carré, Justin M, Putnam, Susan K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Athletic Performance - physiology
Athletic Performance - psychology
Audience effect
Behavioral psychophysiology
Biological and medical sciences
Competitive Behavior - physiology
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hockey - psychology
Hormones and behavior
Human competition
Humans
Male
Motivation - physiology
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Saliva - chemistry
Saliva - metabolism
Social Dominance
Testosterone - analysis
Testosterone - metabolism
Testosterone dynamics
Up-Regulation
Winner/loser effect
Young Adult
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Summary:Summary Previous research indicates that testosterone concentrations are highly responsive to human competitive interactions and that winners have elevated testosterone concentrations relative to losers. Also, there is some evidence that simply observing others compete can have a similar effect on the endocrine system. Here, in two studies, we examined the extent to which elite male hockey players would demonstrate an increase in testosterone concentrations after watching themselves engaged in a previous successful competitive interaction. Results indicated that watching a previous victory produced a significant increase in testosterone concentrations (42–44% increase), whereas watching a previous defeat or a neutral video did not produce a significant change in testosterone (17% and 6%, respectively). Given that natural fluctuations in testosterone have been shown to influence future competitive and aggressive behaviours, the current studies may have important practical implications for individuals involved in competitive sports.
ISSN:0306-4530
1873-3360
DOI:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.09.011