Salivary stress hormone response and performance in full competition after linear or undulating periodization training in elite powerlifters.

BACKGROUND

The purposes of this study were to determine differences in training loads and stress hormones among national level powerlifting competitors and the effect on performance.

METHODS

Thirteen experienced male powerlifters provided detailed training logs during the 8 weeks prior to a national competition. Participants were divided into linear (LP, N.=6) and undulating periodization (UP, N.=7) training groups. Following weigh-ins and after successfully completing the competition, participants provided saliva samples.

RESULTS

LP resulted in lower levels of salivary cortisol (sC) (LP 4.27±0.71 nmols/L; UP 5.53±0.78 nmols/L) and higher testosterone-to-cortisol ratio (T:C) (LP 8.03±0.84 nmols/L; UP 5.23±1.41 nmols/L) compared to UP prior to competition. Following competition, both LP and UP groups had significant increases in salivary testosterone (sT) (LP 383.70±34.96 nmols/L; UP 376.62±38.17 nmols/L) and sC (LP 17.67±1.39 nmols/L; UP 18.17±1.46 nmols/L) and significant reductions in T:C (LP 8.03±0.80 to 6.67±0.83; UP 5.23±1.41 to 4.95±1.00). Finally, the UP group had a significantly higher Wilks coefficient following the competition compared to the LP group (LP 440.7±31.83 vs. UP 480.29±24.13).

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that the higher volume loads undertaken by UP have a larger perturbation on resting stress hormones; however, this does not seem to negatively influence powerlifting performance.