Are free testosterone and cortisol concentrations associated with training motivation in elite male athletes?

Objectives: To examine correlative associations between salivary free testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) concentrations and training motivation in elite male athletes. Design: Single group, longitudinal design with repeated measures. Methods: Participants (n = 15) completed a 5-week progressive resistance training programme. Across 2 weekly workouts, pre and post measures of salivary free T and C concentrations were taken along with voluntary chosen workload, as a proxy for training motivation. Strength and body mass were assessed pre and post training. Results: Individual changes in pre-workout free T concentrations correlated strongly to voluntary workloads (pooled r = 0.81, p < 0.001). Pre-workout free C concentrations was weakly correlated to voluntary workload (pooled r = 0.35). Pre-workout hormones (r = 0.57-0.89) and the strength gains were also related. Conclusions: The salivary free T concentrations of male athletes presented before training were strongly associated with subsequent voluntary workloads, indicating a potential link to training motivation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.