The potential influence of Cortisol and Testosterone on psychobiological aspects in Paralympic athletes

Abstract

Paralympic sport is based on performance and requires the planning of physical, technical and psychological training. Factors such as structure, duration and intensity of specific training and disability type might influence hormone levels of blood-free testosterone and cortisol. Few studies have examined the psychobiological aspects in elite athletes with disabilities and their associations with hormonal status. Although there are similarities between the training of elite athletes with and without disabilities, there are certain important variations that take the relationship between hormones and behaviour in Paralympic athletes into account. This article will provide information expanding the level of analysis of close and reciprocal variables involved in the influence of the endocrine system in the psychobiological domains of Paralympic athletes.

Keywords

• hormones
• para-athletics
• sports for persons with disabilities