Does the cool-down content affect cortisol and testosterone production after a whole-body workout? A pilot study

Purpose The Tactical Fitness (TACFIT®) workout has been created merging the characteristics of both high-intensity interval training and functional training, added with compensatory cool-down exercises to speed-up recovery. Aims of our research were to study the effects of two different cool-down strategies, on cortisol and testosterone responses, together with ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), to verify if they have an important role in the modulation of the endocrine responses. Methods Nine healthy trained men (34.22±7.42 years) performed the same workout, with (TACFIT® +Asanas protocol) and without (TACFIT® protocol) Asanas postures, in different days. Saliva was collected immediately before (T0) and after (T1) each workout, one hour later its end (T2), at 11:00 p.m. (T3), at 7:00 a.m. (T4) of the following day, and during a nontraining day. Before and after each workout the RPE was recorded. Results Workouts elicited a different cortisol and testosterone production, respect to non-training day. TACFIT® +Asanas protocol elicited lower salivary cortisol level (p=0.002) and cortisol to testosterone ratio (p=0.001) and higher salivary testosterone level (p=0.01) at T2. Cortisol to testosterone ratio has been shown lower also at T3 (p=0.02) and T4 (p=0.04) respect to TACFIT® protocol. TACFIT® +Asanas protocol elicited a lower RPE at T1 (p=0.01). Conclusions TACFIT® workouts can significantly modify salivary cortisol, testosterone, and their ratio, for several hours. The insertion of the Asanas at the end of a TACFIT® workout seems to determine lower salivary cortisol and cortisol to testosterone ratio, and higher testosterone respect to a traditional TACFIT® workout.