Changes in saliva dehydroepiandrosterone in female football players during competitive sports

[Objective] The aim of this investigation was to evaluate salivary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) responses during a competitive period among female football players. [Methods] Subjects were college female football players (n=9). Saliva and blood samples were collected at 18:00 (6:00 pm) and the profile of mood state (POMS) was recorded during a period of normal training (Pre), 3 days of competition (Competition), and a recovery period (Post). Levels of salivary DHEA, cortisol, and serum creatin kinase (CK), urea nitorogen (UN), were determined. [Results] The levels of salivary DHEA significantly increased during competition (2 nd days) compared with Pre (p<0.05), and significantly decreased after competition compared with Pre (p< 0.05). The levels of salivary cortisol significantly increased during the competition (2 nd and 3 rd days) compared with Pre (p<0.05). Whereas it decreased after competition compared with Pre. The levels of serum CK significantly increased during the competition (2 nd days) compared with Pre (p<0.05). The levels of serum UN did not change during the study. The fatigue score of POMS significantly increased during competition (2 nd days) compared with Pre (p<0.05). [Conclusion] These data suggest that DHEA could be a useful endocrinological indicator for evaluating training status in female athletes.