Testosterone–cortisol ratio
In human biology, the testosterone–cortisol ratio describes the ratio between testosterone, the primary male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid, and cortisol, another steroid hormone, in the human body.[1]
The ratio is often used as a biomarker of physiological stress in athletes during training, during athletic performance, and during recovery, and has been explored as a predictor of performance.[1][2][3] At least among weight-lifters, the ratio tracks linearly with increases in training volume over the first year of training but the relationship breaks down after that.[1] A lower ratio in weight-lifters just prior to performance appears to predict better performance.[1]
The ratio has been studied as a possible biomarker for criminal aggression, but as of 2009 its usefulness was uncertain.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d Storey A, Smith HK (September 2012). "Unique aspects of competitive weightlifting: performance, training and physiology". Sports Medicine. 42 (9): 769–90. doi:10.1007/BF03262294. PMID 22873835. S2CID 68266549.
- ^ Reilly T, Ekblom B (June 2005). "The use of recovery methods post-exercise". Journal of Sports Sciences. 23 (6): 619–27. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.472.7716. doi:10.1080/02640410400021302. PMID 16195010. S2CID 27918213.
- ^ Mujika I, Padilla S, Pyne D, Busso T (2004). "Physiological changes associated with the pre-event taper in athletes". Sports Medicine. 34 (13): 891–927. doi:10.2165/00007256-200434130-00003. PMID 15487904. S2CID 8516577.
- ^ Terburg D, Morgan B, van Honk J (2009-06-01). "The testosterone-cortisol ratio: A hormonal marker for proneness to social aggression". secondary. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry. 32 (4): 216–23. doi:10.1016/j.ijlp.2009.04.008. PMID 19446881.