Dynamics of cortisol and testosterone in acute response to a simulated Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition practiced by athletes with disabilities: multiple case study

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of a simulated Brazilian jiu-jitsu match, practiced by athletes with disabilities, on the serum levels of hormonal and lactate markers. Methods. Five male athletes were included (mean and SD: age 38.5 +/- 4.2 years; height 1.68 +/- 0.05 cm; body mass 89.4 +/- 5.8 kg; BMI 31.6 +/- 3.7 kg.m(2)); participants I and II were professional athletes with world titles. The results were individually analyzed, which constitutes a multiple case study under the Ethics Committee registration no. 2.997.241. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after the simulated match session. The data analyzed were: lactate, cortisol, testosterone, and body temperature. Results. Regarding testosterone values, an increase was observed in all participants after the match (mean and SD: 36.4 +/- 6.8 pre-match and 45.9 +/- 8.1 post-match), with a significance of p = 0.006 between moments. For cortisol, the gross values of all participants decreased after the match (mean and SD: 157.6 +/- 15.4 pre-match and 121.8 +/- 14.7 post-match), with a significant difference between moments (p=0.02). The lactate values also increased in all participants (mean and SD: 2.52 +/- 0.05 pre-match and 11.6 +/- 0.8 post-match), with a significant difference between moments (p=0.0004). In addition, no correlations were found between hormonal concentrations and age (Testosterone x Age, p-value=0.7600; Cortisol x Age, p-value=0.600). Conclusions. Different alterations in hormonal and metabolic parameters represent responses to acute physical exercise. From these data, it is possible to evaluate the training load implemented and suggest periodization and recovery techniques according to the individual responses.

Automated summary

This study investigated the acute effects of a simulated Brazilian jiu-jitsu match on hormonal and lactate markers in athletes with disabilities. The results showed that there were alterations in hormone and lactate levels after the match.