Neurotransmitter Analysis, Stress, and Energy Availability in Athletes

NCT06683625 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: RowersMF2024
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 27
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to examine if there is a correlation between energy deficiency, neurotransmitter levels, and exercise test performance among athletes in the Polish national rowing team. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does relative energy deficiency (RED) impact neurotransmitter levels and, consequently, athletic performance? Can monitoring energy availability, neurotransmitter levels, and psychological factors provide insights into physiological and psychological adaptations to intense training? Researchers will compare results obtained before the exercise test with those taken immediately after and following a 1-hour recovery period to assess changes in performance, biochemical markers, and psychological responses. Participants will:

• Engage in a standardized exercise test.
• Undergo assessments of energy availability, neurotransmitter levels, and performance at multiple time points (pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and post-1-hour recovery).
• Complete psychological questionnaires assessing stress levels, recovery, and energy availability. This study aims to identify potential links between energy status, biochemical responses, psychological well-being, and athletic performance, allowing for targeted interventions to optimize training outcomes.

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

neurotransmitters; low energy availability; athletes; fatigue

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (14)

• Changes from baseline in cortisol level.

  Marker of stress level.

  At rest (before the exercise test), 1 minute after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in testosterone level.

  Marker of anabolic activity.

  At rest (before the exercise test), 1 minute after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in serotonin level.

  Marker of mood regulation and emotional well-being

  At rest (before the exercise test), 1 minute after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from in serotonin level.

  Marker of mood regulation and emotional well-being.

  At rest (before the exercise test), 1 minute after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level.

  Marker of neuroinhibition.

  At rest (before the exercise test), 1 minute after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in dopamine level.

  Marker of stress and adrenal function.

  At rest (before the exercise test), 1 minute after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in tryptophan level.

  Marker of mood regulation, serotonin synthesis.

  At rest (before the exercise test), 1 minute after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Baseline Mood Profile of Athletes Before Exercise Test Using POMS Questionnaire.

  The Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire measures mood states and emotional well-being.

  At rest (before the exercise test).

• Baseline Stress and Recovery Profile of Athletes Before Exercise Test Using RESTQ-76 Sport Questionnaire.

  The Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-76 SPORT), 76-item version questionnaire measures stress and recovery balance in athletes.

  At rest (before the exercise test).

• Baseline Psychological Strain Assessment of Athletes Before Exercise Test Using APSQ Questionnaire.

  The Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) measures psychological strain and mental health challenges in athletes.

  At rest (before the exercise test).

• Baseline Eating Behavior and Attitudes of Athletes Before Exercise Test Using EDE-Q 6.0 Questionnaire.

  The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0) measures the severity of eating disorder behaviors and attitudes.

  At rest (before the exercise test).

• Baseline Eating Behavior and Attitudes of Athletes Before Exercise Test Using EDE-Q 6.0 Questionnaire.

  The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) measures the severity of eating disorder behaviors and attitudes.

  At rest (before the exercise test).

• Baseline Energy Availability and Health Assessment of Female Athletes Before Exercise Test Using LEAF Questionnaire.

  The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) measures the severity of eating disorder behaviors and attitudes.

  At rest (before the exercise test).

• Baseline Energy Availability and Health Assessment of Male Athletes Before Exercise Test Using LEAM Questionnaire.

  The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) measures the severity of eating disorder behaviors and attitudes.

  At rest (before the exercise test).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Baseline Dietary Habits Assessment of Athletes Before Exercise Test Using Nutrition Questionnaire

  At rest (before the exercise test).

• Baseline Body Composition Assessment of Athletes Before Exercise Test

  At rest (before the exercise test).

Study Arms (2)

Group 1

Eight female athletes

Diagnostic Test: 6K Max Effort Erg Test

Group 2

19 male athletes

Diagnostic Test: 6K Max Effort Erg Test

Interventions

6K Max Effort Erg Test DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

"6K Max Effort Erg Test", involves participants completing a 6000-meter rowing distance on an ergometer as quickly as possible. This test is designed to measure peak endurance and performance under controlled conditions and will serve as a primary assessment of each athlete's physical output and adaptive capacity.

Group 1; Group 2

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: Eligibility to participate in the study is restricted to individuals whose self-identified gender aligns with their biological sex due to the influence of sexual dimorphism on study outcomes. This alignment ensures that the physiological differences inherent between male and female bodies-such as muscle composition, metabolic rates, and hormonal profiles-are appropriately accounted for, especially in a high-performance athletic context where these factors significantly impact performance and recovery.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will be conducted at the Olympic Preparation Center COS OPO in Wałcz. Testing will begin in the morning with fasting body composition measurements and blood sampling to determine baseline values of measured parameters. Psychological assessments, including questionnaires tailored for the study, will also be administered. Following this, participants will undergo an exercise test in a specialized training room equipped with modern rowing ergometers, during which each athlete will row a distance of 6,000 meters as quickly as possible. Athletes will be encouraged to maximize their effort throughout the test. Additional blood samples will be collected according to the testing schedule. The blood samples will then be transported to the ZWKF AWF laboratory in Poznań for parameter analysis.

You may qualify if:

• Gender and Biological Sex Alignment: Participants' self-identified gender must align with their biological sex due to the effects of sexual dimorphism on athletic performance.
• Sex: Both male and female athletes are eligible to participate. Training Level: Participants must be highly trained, with a minimum of 5 years of consistent, high-level athletic training experience.
• Experience: Participants should have competitive experience at a regional, national, or international level.
• Health Status: Participants must be healthy, with no current or chronic medical conditions, injuries, or diseases that could affect study outcomes.

You may not qualify if:

• Gender-Biological Sex Mismatch: Individuals whose self-identified gender does not align with their biological sex are excluded, to maintain consistency in data affected by sexual dimorphism.
• Training Level: Recreational athletes, individuals with less than 3 years of high-level training, or those lacking competitive experience are excluded.
• Health Conditions: Individuals with any medical conditions, chronic illnesses, acute injuries, or undergoing treatments that may interfere with athletic performance or study variables are excluded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Poznan University of Physical Education: lead

Study Sites (1)

Poznań University of Physical Education

Poznan, Greater Poland Voivodeship, 61-871, Poland

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 1 Month
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 8, 2024
• First Posted: November 12, 2024
• Study Start: November 10, 2024
• Primary Completion: November 10, 2024
• Study Completion: November 15, 2024
• Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PL (1)