Prior sprint cycling did not enhance training adaptation, but resting salivary hormones were related to workout power and strength

Abstract

This study examined the effect of cycle sprints as a potentiating stimulus for power and strength adaptation in semi-elite athletes. Eighteen rugby players were assigned into training groups that completed either a 40-s cycle sprint (T(SPRINT)) or rested (T(CONTROL)) before each workout (n = 6-8) of a 4-week programme. Squat jump (SJ) peak power (PP) and mean power (MP), and box squat (BS) one repetition maximum (1RM) strength were assessed every workout. Saliva was collected across each workout and assayed for testosterone (Sal-T) and cortisol (Sal-C). The T(SPRINT) and T(CONTROL) groups both showed significant improvements in SJ PP (8.2 +/- 2.9 vs. 11.9 +/- 3.6%), SJ MP (11.8 +/- 2.6 vs. 18.6 +/- 4.8%) and BS 1RM (20.5 +/- 2.6 vs. 23.2 +/- 1.3%), respectively. However, there were no group differences in training adaptation, workout performance or the workout hormonal responses. As a combined group (all players), significant relationships were demonstrated between resting Sal-T and/or Sal-C concentrations and absolute SJ power (r = 0.20-0.30) and BS strength (r = 0.36-0.44) across all workouts. For individual players, the respective relationships with SJ power (r = 0.22-0.42) and BS strength (r = 0.41-0.49) were, on average, found to be stronger. In conclusion, leg workouts performed with or without prior cycle sprints can produce similar power and strength improvements in semi-elite rugby players. Resting salivary hormone concentrations appear important for workout performance, especially for individuals, thereby potentially moderating training adaptation.

Exercise-Induced Responses in Salivary Testosterone, Cortisol, and Their Ratios in Men: A Meta-Analysis

“…This raises an important methodological consideration and suggests an anticipatory effect on sal-T and sal-C. Investigators may be unaware of this phenomenon, as the majority of investigations solely collect samples immediately prior to exercise rather than in addition to a control day [3,4,7,15,22,23,29,32,41,[48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55]. Therefore, care should be taken when comparing exercise-induced acute changes in sal-T and sal-C with regards to the timing of baseline measurement.…”

“…Studies incorporating hypertrophy-style resistance training resulted in the greatest increase in sal-T [22,47,52]. Studies incorporating complex training [53], small muscle groups [3], middle-aged men [51] and training preceding a loss [7] all resulted in no effect of exercise on sal-T. It is suggested that these factors influence the sal-T response to exercise.…”

“…Of the 21 studies included, two were RCTs [46,47], 18 were UCTs [3,4,7,15,22,23,29,32,34,41,[48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] and one was a CT [18] (Tables 1, 2, 3). Where a study had multiple conditions, they were treated separately.…”

Baseline Strength Can Influence the Ability of Salivary Free Testosterone to Predict Squat and Sprinting Performance

“…Throughout the literature, there are numerous examples of correlations between testosterone or cortisol and the training and performance outcomes (9,10,12,16,17,32); however, the predictive ability of these hormones, and even the direction, of these correlations differs markedly. This apparent disparity may be because of several factors.…”

“…Saliva was collected into sterile tubes by timed passive drool (2 mL over 2 minutes) and stored at 280°C until the time of the assay, as previously described (16). The saliva samples were analyzed in duplicate using commercial enzyme immunoassay kits (Salimetrics LLC, State College, PA, USA) and the manufacturer's guidelines.…”