Salivary hormones are markedly affected by sambo exercise in female athletes

BACKGROUND: Sambo is a relatively novel martial art and limited information is currently available concerning physiological profiles of sambo athletes or hormonal responses to sambo exercise. The main aim of this pilot study was to characterize hormonal status of top-level female sambo athletes at rest and postexercise. METHODS: Salivary hormones were measured with specific immune assay in Russian National team sambo athletes (N.=59) at rest and following session of sambo exercise (5 bouts of simulated fights, consisting of 5 min exercise and 10 min recovery). RESULTS: Salivary testosterone levels at rest were significantly higher in sambo athletes comparing to sedentary controls (37.4 +/- 24.1 vs. 14.3 +/- 6.9 pg/mL, P<0.001), while estradiol levels were lower in female samboists (2.4 +/- 1.5 vs. 11.3 +/- 7.0 pg/mL, P<0.001). Both salivary testosterone and cortisol significantly dropped after sambo exercise as compared to baseline levels (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal status of female samboists seems to be markedly affected by chronic and acute exercise, with salivary testosterone recognized as a sensible biomarker of exercise stress.