EFFECTS OF SPEED ENDURANCE TEST ON THE LEVELS OF CORTISOL AND TESTOSTERONE IN HANDBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

Physical activity plays a key role in the control of neuroendocrine, autonomic and behavioral responsible for the physical and psychosocial stress. However, little is known about how levels of physical activity modulates the response to the stress caused by physical training. After a stressful event (physical exercise) level of cortisol rises, where cortisol like other glucocorticoid agents, has widespread effects which helps to restore homeostasis. Physical exercise also increases testosterone levels. Athletes often take androgenic steroids in an attempt to increase their strength. Studies show that men who used testosterone and practiced, have achieved decrease of fat and increase of muscle than in those men who did not use testosterone (Bhasin et al 1996). Although previous studies have shown that trained subjects exhibited significantly lower cortisol levels and heart pressure on the stress provouct by physical exercise, compared with untrained men, this paper shows that even trained athletes after physical exercise have increased levels of cortisol and testosterone.