Biochemical Variability in a Team Sports Situation |
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| Authors: | Robert J Biersner PhD William B McHugh MD PhD Richard H Rahe MD |
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| Institution: | 1. Human Performance and Aviation Medicine , Naval Medical Research and Development Command, National Naval Medical Center , Bethesda, Maryland, USA;2. Neurology Department , Millard Fillmore Hospital , Buffalo, New York, USA |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Using 13 members of an amateur softball team during the last seven games of the regular season, associations were determined between overall offensive and defensive performance and levels of serum uric acid (SUA) and cholesterol, and urinary adrenaline and noradrenaline. Skilled players were found to have significantly lower cholesterol and noradrenaline levels than less skilled players whether the games were won or lost. Adrenaline and SUA levels did not differ between the two groups nor between losing or winning outcomes. The elevated cholesterol and noradrenaline levels found among the less skilled players may indicate that although they were stressed by the discrepancy between their expectations and their performance, they nonetheless maintained perceived control over performance because of the social support and reinforcement received from the other players and the coach. |
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| Keywords: | arousal catecholamines cognitive style cholesterol serum uric acid social support sports medicine stress |
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