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Casto KV, Root ZL, Geniole SN, Carré JM, Bruner MW. Exploratory Analysis of the Relationship between Social Identification and Testosterone Reactivity to Vicarious Combat. HUMAN NATURE-AN INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE 2021; 32:509-527. [PMID: 34231127 DOI: 10.1007/s12110-021-09407-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Testosterone (T) fluctuates in response to competitive social interactions, with the direction of change typically depending on factors such as contest outcome. Watching a competition may be sufficient to activate T among fans and others who are invested in the outcome. This study explores the change in T associated with vicarious experiences of competition among combat sport athletes viewing a teammate win or lose and assesses how individual differences in social identification with one's team relates to these patterns of T reactivity. Twenty-six male combat athletes completed a social identity questionnaire on a neutral day. Later, salivary samples (assayed for T) were obtained before and after athletes viewed a video of a teammate engaged in a formal contest. T reactivity to viewing a teammate compete varied among participants in both the magnitude and direction of change, independent of contest outcome. Individual differences in cognitive centrality, a core feature of social identification, showed a strong positive relationship with T reactivity, particularly if their teammate won. Initial findings suggest that dominance-linked androgen responses associated with watching a teammate win a competition might depend on the belief that team membership is central to one's own identity. These exploratory results in a small sample of combat athletes should be interpreted with caution. Uncovering the role of social group dynamics in influencing T responses to competition is particularly important in light of the evolutionary history of coalitional combat in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen V Casto
- Social Sciences Division, New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL, USA.
| | - Zach L Root
- School of Physical and Health Education, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shawn N Geniole
- Department of Psychology, University of Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Justin M Carré
- Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark W Bruner
- School of Physical and Health Education, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada.
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2
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Crewther BT, Hecht M, Potts N, Kilduff LP, Drawer S, Marshall E, Cook CJ. A longitudinal investigation of bidirectional and time-dependent interrelationships between testosterone and training motivation in an elite rugby environment. Horm Behav 2020; 126:104866. [PMID: 33002456 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In sport, testosterone has been positioned as a substrate for motivation with both directional and time dependencies. However, evidence is scarce when considering the complexities of competitive sport and no work has explicitly modeled these dependencies. To address these gaps, we investigated the bidirectional and time-dependent interrelationships between testosterone and training motivation in an elite rugby environment. Thirty-six male athletes were monitored across training weeks before and after eight international rugby matches. Pre-breakfast measures of salivary testosterone and training motivation (1-10 rating) were taken on training, competition, and recovery days (up to 40 tests). Using a continuous-time (CT) model, within-person estimates of autoregressive effects (persistence) and cross-lagged effects (relationships) were derived. A stronger, more persistent temporal association was identified for testosterone than for motivation. Cross-lagged effects verified that training motivation was positively related to testosterone at latter time points (p < 0.001). Discrete-time analyses revealed a non-linear association; increasing in strength from a zero-time lag to peak after 2.83 days (standardized effect = 0.25), before dissipation over longer lagged intervals. The testosterone relationship with ensuing training motivation was also positive, but non-significant. Match effects also appeared (p < 0.001) with a predicted decline in training motivation, but a rise in testosterone, at match onset. In summary, a positive association emerged between within-person fluctuations in self-appraised motivation to train and testosterone concentration in an elite rugby environment. The lagged, non-linear nature of this relationship and match predictions on both outcomes support, and extend, theoretical models linking testosterone and competitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blair T Crewther
- Institute of Sport - National Research Institute, Poland; Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College, UK.
| | | | | | - Liam P Kilduff
- A-STEM, School of Engineering, Swansea University, UK; Welsh Institute of Performance Science (WIPS), Swansea University, UK
| | | | - Elizabeth Marshall
- Human Performance, Sport and Physiology Group, Brain-Behaviour Research Group, School of Science and Technology University of New England, Australia
| | - Christian J Cook
- Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College, UK; A-STEM, School of Engineering, Swansea University, UK; Human Performance, Sport and Physiology Group, Brain-Behaviour Research Group, School of Science and Technology University of New England, Australia
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3
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Sex × Gender and Sexual Orientation in Relation to Stress Hormones and Allostatic Load. GENDER AND THE GENOME 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/2470289719862555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this selective review, emerging literature linking biological sex, sociocultural gender, and sexual orientation to stress hormone functioning and multisystemic physiological dysregulations are summarized. Beyond sex as a binary biological variable, continuums of sex hormones, gender roles, gender identity, and sexual orientation each uniquely help delineate pathways and mechanisms linked to stress-related disease trajectories. This implicates glucocorticoid functioning and allostatic load, the “wear and tear” of chronic stress in synergy with unhealthy behaviors. Clinical considerations are also discussed for the field of gender medicine.
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Putting the flight in "fight-or-flight": Testosterone reactivity to skydiving is modulated by autonomic activation. Biol Psychol 2019; 143:93-102. [PMID: 30836116 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Sensation-seeking (SS) involves the tendency to pursue exciting activities, potentially including risky behaviors (e.g., substance use, risky sexual behavior). Testosterone is associated with cortisol, SS, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning. Testosterone reactivity/recovery during sky-diving and its relationship to cortisol response, ANS response and SS were examined. Forty-four participants provided reactive saliva samples and autonomic activity data before, during and after sky-diving and as well as basal day saliva samples. Testosterone reactivity/recovery to skydiving was significantly greater than basal day measurements. Testosterone responsivity to skydiving was predicted by increased cortisol, increased sympathetic activity (heart rate) and reduced parasympathetic activity (RMSSD). Independent of physiological effects, increased SS predicted testosterone responsivity to skydiving. These data suggest that testosterone reactivity, and its relationship to ANS responsivity, may be associated with pleasurable responses to risky/intense situations. These data may be useful in developing novel intervention strategies for risky behaviors.
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Individual variation in the cortisol response to a simulated Olympic weightlifting competition is related to changes in future competitive performance. Biol Sport 2019; 36:133-139. [PMID: 31223190 PMCID: PMC6561227 DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2019.81115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) responses to experimental stress have been linked to sport and health outcomes several days to years later. Here we examined the utility of these biomarkers, taken across a simulated Olympic weightlifting (OWL) competition, as predictors of future competitive performance in young athletes. Seventy junior athletes (46 males, 24 females) participated in a talent identification and development programme that replicated an OWL competition. Performance was indexed by the total load lifted, relative to body mass, with serum changes in C (∆C) and (∆T) concentrations profiled. We identified each athlete’s best performance in real competitions over two subsequent years via online resources. Hierarchical regression was used to predict changes in competitive performance at <12 (∆Total12) and 12-24 months (∆Total24). The simulated OWL event promoted a small positive ∆C (effect size [ES]=0.3) and ∆T (ES=0.5), but with large variation in ∆C (-58% to 200%) and ∆T (-21% to 71%). Performance improved after 12 (ES=1.5) and 24 months (ES=0.9). The ∆C was negatively related to the ∆Total12 and ∆Total24 when controlling for competitions entered (R2=13-24%). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the ∆C link to both outcomes (R2=9%). The serum C and T responses to a simulated OWL competition varied considerably between participants. Their competitive performance improved over the next two years and individual performance trajectories were related to the ∆C. Therefore, individual variation in the C responses to a competitive stressor may help forecast the training and/or competitive gain process in young developing athletes.
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Abstract
A contribution to a special issue on Hormones and Human Competition. The author looks back at his four decades of research on testosterone in the context of biosociology - its accomplishments, pitfalls, outstanding questions, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Mazur
- Maxwell School, Syracuse University, 435 Crouse-Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA.
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Crewther BT, Carruthers J, Kilduff LP, Sanctuary CE, Cook CJ. Temporal associations between individual changes in hormones, training motivation and physical performance in elite and non-elite trained men. Biol Sport 2016; 33:215-21. [PMID: 27601775 PMCID: PMC4993136 DOI: 10.5604/20831862.1201810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
To advance our understanding of the hormonal contribution to athletic performance, we examined the temporal associations between individual changes in testosterone (T) and/or cortisol (C) concentrations, training motivation and physical performance in elite and non-elite trained men. Two male cohorts classified as elites (n = 12) and non-elites (n = 12) completed five testing sessions over a six-week period. The athletes were tested for salivary T, C, T/C ratio, self-perceived training motivation, countermovement jump (CMJ) height and isometric mid-thigh pull peak force (IMTP PF), after which an actual training workout was performed. The elite men reported higher motivation to train and they produced greater CMJ height overall, whereas the non-elites had higher pooled T levels (p < 0.05). No significant group differences in C concentrations, T/C ratio or IMTP PF were found. The individual changes in T levels were positively associated with training motivation in the elite men only (p = 0.033), but the hormonal and motivation measures did not predict CMJ height or IMTP PF in either group. The monitoring of elite and non-elite men across a short training block revealed differences in T levels, motivation and lower-body power, which may reflect training and competitive factors in each group. Despite having lower T levels, the elite athletes showed better linkage between pre-training T fluctuations and subsequent motivation to train. The nature of the performance tests (i.e. single repetition trials) could partly explain the lack of an association with the hormonal and motivational measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- B T Crewther
- Institute of Sport - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland; Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - J Carruthers
- Al-Attar Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - L P Kilduff
- Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK; Welsh Institute of Performance Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - C E Sanctuary
- Newcastle Knights Rugby League, Newcastle, Australia
| | - C J Cook
- Hamlyn Centre, Imperial College, London, UK; School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, Bangor University, Bangor, UK; Welsh Institute of Performance Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
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Juster RP, Raymond C, Desrochers AB, Bourdon O, Durand N, Wan N, Pruessner JC, Lupien SJ. Sex hormones adjust "sex-specific" reactive and diurnal cortisol profiles. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 63:282-90. [PMID: 26539966 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences in stress hormone functions are presumed to depend on sex hormones. And yet, surprisingly few psychoneuroendocrine studies actually assess within-sex variations of testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone when investigating sex-specific activities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In this methodological study of 204 healthy adults (60 men), we assessed whether cortisol profiles would differ between the sexes when unadjusted or adjusted for basal sex hormones among both sexes. Reactive cortisol was sampled using 6 saliva samples measured every 10-min as part of the Trier Social Stress Test that generally activates cortisol among men more than women. Diurnal cortisol was sampled over two days at (1) awakening, (2) 30-min thereafter, (3) 1400 h, (4) 1600 h, and (5) bedtime. Sex hormones were collected at baseline before the psychosocial stressor and on two occasions during diurnal cortisol assessment. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance controlled for key covariates in analyses unadjusted or adjusted for sex hormones. Results revealed that men had higher reactive cortisol than women in unadjusted analysis, but this sex difference was attenuated when adjusting for sex hormones. While diurnal cortisol showed no sex differences in unadjusted models, adjusting for sex hormones revealed that women have higher morning cortisol. Correlations using area under the curve formulae revealed intriguing sex-specific associations with progesterone in men and testosterone in women that we propose have implications for social and affective neuroscience. In summary, our results reveal that adjusting for sex hormones alters "sex-specific" reactive and diurnal cortisol profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert-Paul Juster
- Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Research Centre, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Catherine Raymond
- Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Research Centre, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexandra Bisson Desrochers
- Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Olivier Bourdon
- Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nadia Durand
- Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Research Centre, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nathalie Wan
- Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Research Centre, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sonia J Lupien
- Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Research Centre, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Rausch J, Gäbel A, Nagy K, Kleindienst N, Herpertz SC, Bertsch K. Increased testosterone levels and cortisol awakening responses in patients with borderline personality disorder: gender and trait aggressiveness matter. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 55:116-27. [PMID: 25796037 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by antagonism, negative affectivity, disinhibition, and impairments in interpersonal functioning, including enhanced impulsive aggression. Interpersonal dysfunctions may be related to alterations in endocrine systems. The current study investigated alterations in basal activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) reproductive and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress system in BPD patients and their association to anger-related aggression with a particular focus on effects of gender and comorbid conditions of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD Saliva testosterone levels as well as cortisol awakening responses were assessed in 55 medication-free female and male patients with BPD and compared to 47 gender-, age-, and intelligence-matched healthy volunteers. In addition, analyses controlling for current depression and PSTD and bivariate correlations between testosterone and cortisol levels on the one hand and anger and aggressiveness on the other hand were performed. RESULTS The results revealed increased saliva testosterone levels in female and male patients with BPD as well as elevated cortisol awakening responses in female, but not male patients with BPD compared to healthy volunteers. Cortisol awakening responses were positively related to anger and aggressiveness in female patients with BPD, but no associations were found with testosterone levels. CONCLUSION In line with previous reports, the present results suggest endocrine alterations in BPD which may be associated with interpersonal impairments, such as increased anger-related aggressive behavior and could have implications for the development of new (psychopharmaco-) therapeutic interventions that may help to restore the alterations in the HPA and HPG systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Rausch
- Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Gäbel
- Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Krisztina Nagy
- Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Kleindienst
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
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Zilioli S, Mehta PH, Watson NV. Losing the battle but winning the war: Uncertain outcomes reverse the usual effect of winning on testosterone. Biol Psychol 2014; 103:54-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2014.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Revised: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Chichinadze K, Chichinadze N, Gachechiladze L, Lazarashvili A, Nikolaishvili M. Physical predictors, behavioural/emotional attributes and neurochemical determinants of dominant behaviour. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2014; 89:1005-20. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Chichinadze
- Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Functions; I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine; Gotua Street 14 0160 Tbilisi Georgia
- Department of Pathology; I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University; 0128 Tbilisi Georgia
- Laboratory of Theoretical Investigations, Systemic Research Center; 0179 Tbilisi Georgia
| | - Nodar Chichinadze
- Department of Andrology; A. Natishvili Institute of Morphology; 0159 Tbilisi Georgia
| | - Ledi Gachechiladze
- Laboratory of Theoretical Investigations, Systemic Research Center; 0179 Tbilisi Georgia
| | - Ann Lazarashvili
- Laboratory of Theoretical Investigations, Systemic Research Center; 0179 Tbilisi Georgia
| | - Marina Nikolaishvili
- Laboratory of Problems of Radiation Safety, Department of Radiobiology; I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine; 0160 Tbilisi Georgia
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12
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Mazur A, Booth A. Testosterone is related to deviance in male army veterans, but relationships are not moderated by cortisol. Biol Psychol 2014; 96:72-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2013.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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