Changes in different salivary biomarkers related to physiologic stress in elite handball players: the case of females

Abstract

This study evaluates pre- and post-match concentrations of salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase (AA) and immunoglobulin A (lgA) in a group of 21 elite female handball players in the Spanish national women's league. The players' mean age was 23.0 ± 5.4 years. The concentration of the biomarkers was determined using ELISA. Mean playing time was 25.2 min. The players' cortisol concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05) whereas the IgA concentration fell significantly (p < 0.01) at the end of the match. There were no significant changes in the concentrations of AA between pre and post-match timepoints. The changes observed in the study also depended on the position played; defenders exhibited the highest cortisol and lowest IgA concentrations after the match. Larger changes in cortisol and IgA were seen in those who played for more than 30 min. The present study shows that a competitive handball match increases physiologic stress in females, with activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the adrenergic system, resulting in decreased immunocompetence.

Figure 1

Salivary concentration of biomarkers before and after the match. (a) Cortisol. (b) Alpha-amylase. (c) IgA. Wilcoxon rank test was used for differences between pre and post-match determinations. Statistically significant differences between groups are reported (P < 0.01). Data are shown as Tukey’s box plots. Cortisol values increased significantly after the match (a). As compared to values before match, no significant changes were recorded in the concentrations of AA after the match, although median increased slightly (b). IgA concentration fell significantly in the samples taken at the end of the match (c).

Figure 2

Mean fold change in concentration of salivary biomarkers after the match according to the players’ position. Negative values indicate decrease in concentration. Wilcoxon rank test was used for differences between pre and post-match determinations. Statistically significant differences between groups are reported (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01). At the end of the match, only defenders (n = 8) showed a significant increase in cortisol (3.19 folds). Both groups of players showed a significant decrease in salivary IgA concentration at the end of the match (−0.75 in wingers and forwards; −0.51 in defenders). Defenders showed a slight increase in AA as compared to wingers and forwards (n = 11), but the increase was not statistically significant.

Figure 3

Salivary concentration of biomarkers before and after the match according to the playing time (less or more than 30 minutes). (a) Cortisol. (b) Alpha-amylase. (c) IgA. Wilcoxon rank test was used for differences between pre and post-match determinations. Statistically significant differences between groups are reported (P < 0.05). Data are shown as Tukey’s box plots. The group of participants playing more than 30 minutes (n = 7) showed a significant increase in cortisol. Participants playing less than 30 minutes (n = 14) showed a significantly higher decrease in salivary IgA than players been involved in the match for more than 30 min.

Figure 4

Informed consent statement for study participation.