This observational study investigates how elite athletes respond physiologically and psychologically to pre-competitive stress in the context of a high-stakes performance test. The study focuses on the dynamic changes in stress-related hormonal biomarkers and self-reported psychological states across three key phases: mobilization (pre-exercise anticipation), fatigue (immediate post-effort), and recovery (1 hour and 24 hours post-exercise). The performance test serves as part of a qualification process for national and international championship competitions, providing an ecologically valid model of competitive stress. Blood samples and validated psychological questionnaires are used to assess hormonal fluctuations and subjective stress responses at four time points. The main question it aims to answer is: How do key hormonal markers and self-reported psychological stress levels change across the mobilization-fatigue-recovery cycle surrounding a competitive performance?
Elite athletes frequently experience intense psychological and physiological stress before and during high-stakes competitions. While a certain level of pre-competitive stress is necessary for optimal performance, excessive or poorly regulated stress can negatively affect both performance outcomes and recovery. The body's response to stress involves complex neuroendocrine mechanisms, including the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the release of stress-related hormones and neuromodulators. These include cortisol, testosterone, dopamine, serotonin, β-endorphins, and endocannabinoids such as anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). This observational cohort study aims to explore the dynamic changes in both hormonal and psychological stress responses across four time points-before, immediately after, 1 hour after, and 24 hours after-a standardized, high-intensity rowing performance test. This test is part of the official national team selection process and simulates the psychological and physical demands of real-world competition, making it an ecologically valid model for investigating stress. Participants are elite rowers (men and women) who are current members of the national team. The test represents a critical selection tool for major championship events (e.g., World and National Championships), creating a natural, high-pressure environment to study pre-competitive stress. All participants provide blood samples at four time points and complete validated psychological questionnaires (including CSAI-2 and SCAT) before the test. The study's primary outcomes include blood concentrations of stress- and motivation-related hormones (cortisol, testosterone, dopamine, serotonin, β-endorphin, anandamide, 2-AG), and scores from standardized psychological stress inventories assessing cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence. These variables are evaluated across the mobilization-fatigue-recovery cycle to capture both immediate and delayed responses to competitive stress. Secondary outcomes include anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, body mass index, body composition, and training history), which will be used to describe the participant cohort and assess potential moderating factors. This study is novel in its scope and methodology, integrating a broad panel of biological stress markers with subjective psychological assessments across multiple time points. While previous research has focused primarily on cortisol in isolated pre- or post-competition measures, this study tracks dynamic, time-resolved changes across the full stress-recovery spectrum. Furthermore, the inclusion of dopamine, β-endorphins, and endocannabinoids represents a rare and innovative attempt to explore less-studied but potentially critical components of the athlete stress response. This study will provide new insights into the mechanisms of resilience, adaptation, and recovery in elite sport by evaluating how hormonal and psychological indicators shift together or diverge. Findings may help coaches, sports psychologists, and medical professionals better monitor athlete well-being, identify signs of overreaching or maladaptive stress, and develop more personalized strategies for performance readiness and mental support.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
30
Participants will perform a 2000-meter maximal effort test on a Concept II rowing ergometer, aiming to complete the distance in the shortest possible time. The test simulates a competitive race and serves as a qualification trial. It will be conducted under medical supervision and is intended to induce a high level of physiological and psychological stress representative of elite competition.
Poznań University of Physical Education
Poznan, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland
Changes from baseline in cortisol level.
Concentration of cortisol \[ng/ml\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Time frame: At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.
Changes from baseline in testosterone level.
Concentration of testosterone \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Time frame: At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.
Changes from baseline in serotonin level.
Concentration of serotonin \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Time frame: At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.
Changes from baseline in dopamine level.
Concentration of dopamine \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Time frame: At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.
Changes from baseline in beta-endorphin level.
Concentration of beta-endorphin \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Time frame: At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.
Changes from baseline in anandamide level.
Concentration of anandamide \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Time frame: At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.
Changes from baseline in 2-arachidonoyl glycerol level.
Concentration of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol \[ng/mL\]. Immunoenzymatic assay method using a diagnostic ELISA Kit
Time frame: At rest (before the test), directly after the test, and after 1-hour and 24-hour recovery periods.
Competitive Anxiety Profile Before Exercise Test Using SCAT Questionnaire
The Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) measures trait anxiety levels related to competitive situations in athletes. The SCAT questionnaire provides a score ranging from 10 to 30 points. Higher scores indicate higher levels of competitive anxiety, which is considered a worse outcome in terms of psychological readiness for competition. Lower scores suggest lower levels of trait anxiety and better psychological preparedness.
Time frame: Before the 2000-meter exercise test (baseline, at rest)
Cognitive, Somatic Anxiety, and Confidence Before and After Exercise Using CSAI-2R Questionnaire
The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised (CSAI-2R) measures the intensity of cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence in athletes before and after competitive performance. Each subscale of the CSAI-2R provides a score ranging from 9 to 36 points. For Cognitive Anxiety and Somatic Anxiety, higher scores indicate higher levels of anxiety, which are considered a worse outcome regarding psychological readiness. For Self-Confidence, higher scores indicate greater confidence, which is considered a better outcome.
Time frame: Before the 2000-meter exercise test (baseline, at rest)
Coping Strategies for Sport Stress Using CICS Questionnaire
The Coping Inventory for Competitive Sport (CICS) assesses athletes' coping strategies in response to competition-related stress. It measures task-oriented, distraction-oriented, and disengagement-oriented coping styles. Each subscale of the CICS (Task-Oriented Coping, Distraction-Oriented Coping, and Disengagement-Oriented Coping) provides a score ranging from 5 to 25 points. For Task-Oriented Coping, higher scores indicate more significant use of effective, adaptive coping strategies, which is considered a better outcome. For Distraction-Oriented Coping and Disengagement-Oriented Coping, higher scores indicate more significant use of less effective or maladaptive coping strategies, which is considered a worse outcome.
Time frame: Before the 2000-meter exercise test (baseline, at rest)
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