Motivation and Neurotransmitters in Rowers

NCT07235124 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: LMI60002023
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn how motivation and body chemistry are linked during and after intense exercise in national-level rowers. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Do athletes with higher motivation show different changes in brain chemicals after exercise? How do hormone and neurotransmitter levels change during recovery after exercise? Participants will: Complete a motivation questionnaire called the Inventory of Achievement Motivation (LMI) before the exercise test. Perform a 6000-meter rowing test on an indoor rowing machine. Have blood samples taken three times: before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 1 hour after exercise. Researchers will measure blood levels of testosterone, cortisol, serotonin, dopamine, beta-endorphin, anandamide (AEA), and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). This study will help researchers understand how motivation and body chemistry work together to influence performance and recovery in highly trained athletes.

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

Elite athletes; Fatigue; Recovery; Neurotransmitters; Achievement motivation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Changes in serum Cortisol levels

  Measurement of Cortisol serum concentrations (ng/mL).

  Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery

• Changes in serum Testosterone levels

  Measurement of Testosterone serum concentrations (ng/mL).

  Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery

• Changes in serum Dopamin levels

  Measurement of Dopamin serum concentrations (ng/mL).

  Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery

• Changes in serum Serotonin levels

  Measurement of Serotonin serum concentrations (ng/mL).

  Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery

• Changes in serum Beta-endorphin levels

  Measurement of Beta-endorphin serum concentrations (ng/mL).

  Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery

• Changes in serum anandamide (AEA) levels

  Measurement of anandamide (AEA) serum concentrations (ng/mL).

  Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery

• Changes in serum 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)) levels

  Measurement of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) serum concentrations (ng/mL).

  Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Changes in Testosterone-to-cortisol ratio (T:C)

  Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery

• Changes in TSerotonin-to-dopamine ratio (S:D)

  Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery

• Achievement Motivation (LMI score)

  Before exercise (baseline)

Study Arms (1)

Rowers

The study includes 24 national-level male rowers. All participants are healthy, highly trained athletes with at least 3 years of systematic rowing experience and regular intensive training.

Other: 6000-meter rowing ergometer test

Interventions

6000-meter rowing ergometer test OTHER

Participants perform a 6000-meter rowing test on an indoor ergometer at maximal effort to simulate race conditions and induce physiological fatigue.

Rowers

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All participants were recruited and tested at the Central Sports Centre - Olympic Preparation Center (COS OPO) in Wałcz, Poland, during a national team training camp under standardized conditions.

You may qualify if:

• National-level male rowers Age between 18 and 35 years Minimum of 3 years of systematic rowing training Regular training load (at least 10 sessions per week during the competitive season) Good general health and medical clearance for maximal exercise testing

You may not qualify if:

• Current illness, injury, or infection Use of medications or dietary supplements that could affect hormone or neurotransmitter levels Smoking or use of psychoactive substances Inadequate sleep or food intake before testing Refusal or inability to provide informed consent

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: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Posted: November 19, 2025
• Study Start: November 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: November 28, 2023
• Study Completion: December 2, 2023
• Last Updated: November 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PL (1)