MacDonald Douglas, Wetherell Mark A
Psychobiology Research Group, Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Scottish Canoe Association, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Front Psychol. 2019 Jul 18;10:1684. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01684. eCollection 2019.
: Anticipation of forthcoming demands is often met with biological up-regulation, for example, levels of the stress hormone cortisol are typically elevated immediately prior to an anticipated event. Similarly, the cortisol awakening response (CAR), a surge in cortisol in the period following waking, is elevated on days of anticipated demand and this is viewed as an adaptive response in the preparation for challenge. This study assessed the effects of competition as an anticipated challenge in elite rowers. : Elite rowers ( = 8) were assessed during two training and two competition weekends. Each assessment involved the measurement of self-reported competitive (cognitive and somatic) anxiety and salivary diurnal cortisol across 2 days representing a preparation day prior to either a training or competition day. Competitive anxiety was measured each morning and saliva samples were provided immediately upon waking and 30 min post waking (CAR) and before bed. Self-reported cognitive and somatic anxiety levels were significantly greater during the competition phase compared with training. Additionally, levels of cognitive anxiety were greater on the day of competition compared with the preparation day. CAR magnitude was significantly reduced during the competition phase compared with training; however, there were no differences between preparation and event days. : Reduced or blunted CARs are typically observed in chronically stressed populations and are characteristic of burnout and fatigue. While an increased CAR during competition may represent an adaptive response to challenge, blunted CARs and the concomitant increases in competitive anxiety observed here indicate maladaptive responding during a period where maximized functioning is critical.
对即将到来的需求的预期通常会引发生物上调，例如，应激激素皮质醇的水平通常会在预期事件即将发生之前立即升高。同样，皮质醇觉醒反应（CAR），即醒来后一段时间内皮质醇的激增，在预期需求的日子里会升高，这被视为应对挑战准备过程中的一种适应性反应。本研究评估了竞争作为精英赛艇运动员预期挑战的影响。：在两个训练周末和两个比赛周末对精英赛艇运动员（n = 8）进行了评估。每次评估都包括在两天内测量自我报告的竞争性（认知和躯体）焦虑以及唾液昼夜皮质醇水平，这两天分别代表训练日或比赛日之前的准备日。每天早晨测量竞争性焦虑，并在醒来后立即、醒来后30分钟（CAR）以及睡前提供唾液样本。与训练期间相比，比赛阶段自我报告的认知和躯体焦虑水平显著更高。此外，与准备日相比，比赛当天的认知焦虑水平更高。与训练期间相比，比赛阶段的CAR幅度显著降低；然而，准备日和比赛日之间没有差异。：CAR降低或减弱通常在长期处于压力状态的人群中观察到，是倦怠和疲劳的特征。虽然比赛期间CAR增加可能代表对挑战的适应性反应，但这里观察到的CAR减弱以及竞争性焦虑的相应增加表明在功能最大化至关重要的时期出现了适应不良的反应。
