Influence of Training Load on the Level of Steroid Hormones in Mixed Martial Arts Athletes (on the Example of Horting)

Abstract

The Purpose of the Research is to study the nature of changes in the concentration of cortisol and testosterone in the horting athletes’ during the use of different structured strength training load models. The Methods of the Research. 60 athletes took part in the study that have been divided into 3 research groups. Representatives of the examined groups used experimental strength training load models. Based on the results of laboratory control, the characteristics of changes in the concentration of cortisol and testosterone hormones in the blood serum of athletes during the research were determined. The Research Results. It was found that only the athletes of the 3^rd group had an increasing of cortisol concentration in their blood by 3,5 % in response to the strength training load. A comparative analysis of the results at the beginning and at the end of the studies revealed that basal level of cortisol concentration in blood of the 1^st and the 2^nd groups of athletes decreased by 9,4 % (p<0,05), despite the fact that the representatives of these groups used completely different training load regimes, sets of exercises and types of motor activity energy supply. However, the basal cortisol level of the 3^rd group athletes, increased by 17,5 % (p<0,05) in contrast to the initial data at rest. The results of operative control indicate a decrease the testosterone concentration in the 2^nd group athletes` blood after training by 7,3 % (p<0,05). A comparative analysis of laboratory control results of the initial and finished studies indicates that the basal level of the hormone testosterone concentration in the 1<sup>st</sup> group athletes` blood increased by 17,9 % (p<0,05) compared to the initial data. The basal level of the studied steroid hormone of the 2^nd and the 3^rd groups of athletes after 3 months is being without any changes. Findings. It was determined that during the strength training load in horting, the use of a training model with alternating variations of different load intensities in compliance with the principle of “premature fatigue” due to the preliminary trainings of an isolating nature for a certain muscle group, and then of a basic nature with indicators of working weight burden of 70,0 % of 1RM, facilitates increasing of the cortisol and testosterone concentration in the blood in response to a stressful stimulus.