Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part F (2025)

Hormonal adaptations play a crucial role in athletes’ physiological responses to training, recovery, and performance. Testosterone, an anabolic hormone, promotes protein synthesis and muscle development, whereas cortisol, a catabolic hormone, is associated with stress and protein degradation. The Testosterone/Cortisol (T/C) ratio is a recognized marker of anabolic-catabolic balance and a sensitive indicator of overtraining risk. The present study aimed to assess the hormonal profile of athletes engaged in aerobic, anaerobic, and mixed energy system sports to examine sport-specific endocrine adaptations and potential susceptibility to overtraining.
A total of 690 athletes were included in the study, comprising 361 male and 286 female athletes for the reference interval assessment and 246 male and 183 female athletes for evaluation of biochemical changes. Hormonal analysis was conducted for testosterone, cortisol, and the T/C ratio. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and ANOVA to determine differences among athletes from aerobic, anaerobic, and aerobic: Anaerobic sports.
Results indicated that testosterone levels were significantly higher in anaerobic athletes compared to aerobic and mixed-energy system athletes in both genders. Cortisol levels were elevated in aerobic athletes, reflecting the catabolic impact of prolonged endurance training. Consequently, the T/C ratio was highest in anaerobic athletes and lowest in aerobic athletes, indicating a favorable anabolic environment in anaerobic sports and increased overtraining risk in endurance sports. The prevalence of abnormal hormonal values, particularly reduced T/C ratios, was greater among aerobic athletes, suggesting a higher susceptibility to training-induced stress and maladaptation.
These findings highlight the influence of energy system dominance on hormonal adaptation and underscore the importance of regular endocrine monitoring in athletes. The assessment of testosterone, cortisol, and T/C ratio provides critical insights into training status, recovery efficiency, and overtraining risk. Integrating hormonal profiling into training programs can facilitate individualized load management, optimize performance, and minimize the risk of long-term physiological disturbances.