Abstract:
reports, the players did not show an anticipatory rise in either Cortisol or testosterone
prior to competition.
In addition to the effects of status outcome on hormonal levels, it was also
found that these hormonal responses were specific to competition. The athletes in the
current study did not demonstrate any hormonal responses to the practice sessions.
Last, there were significant differences in pre-game testosterone as well as in selfconfidence,
cognitive, and somatic anxiety levels depending on the location at which
the status contest took place. Pre-game testosterone and self-confidence levels were
significantly higher prior to games played in the home venue. In contrast, pre-game
somatic and cognitive anxiety levels were significantly higher prior to games played
in the away venue.
The current findings add to the developing literature on the relationship
between hormones and competition. This was the first study to detect a moderating
effect of status outcome on testosterone responses in a team sport. Furthermore, this
was also the first study in humans to demonstrate that post-contest Cortisol levels
were significantly higher after a loss of status. Last, the current study also adds to the
sport psychology literature by demonstrating that pre-game psychological variables
differ depending on where the status contest is being held: higher self-confidence at
home and higher somatic and cognitive anxiety away. Taken together, the results
from the current thesis may have important practical relevance to coaches, trainers
and sport psychologists who are always trying to find ways to maximize performance. the cycle. The sex-specific age differences in locomotor responses to amphetamine are
not due to gonadal immaturity, as females are cycling at this stage of adolescence.
However, age differences may reflect the ongoing maturation of the neural substrates that
that are involved in locomotor sensitizing, but not rewarding effects of amphetamine.
