Article
The purpose of the study. To search for and analyze literature data on the role of key players in steroidogenesis in the hormonal response to training and competitive stress, characterized by the capacity of the endocrine system to synthesize steroids under these conditions, with the subsequent aim of establishing an objective control of adaptive capacity and preservation of long-term athletic performance in qualified athletes.
Methodology and organization of the study. A narrative literature review was conduct, including the search and analysis of relevant publications on the use of steroidogenesis participants as potential markers of athletes’ functional status, using the electronic scientific databases PubMed and eLibrary.
Research results and conclusion. Under intense physical and psycho-emotional stress in the work of professional athletes, activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system is triggered as an integral component of adaptation mechanisms. It seems possible to consider changes in the concentrations of key players of steroidogenesis as potential biomarkers of adaptation to training loads as a reaction related to the individual physical potentials of athletes, to resistance to stress and to training. At the same time, intermediate hormones with lower concentrations and their role in athlete adaptation remain insufficiently studied. Given the low concentrations of steroidogenesis components, the use of chromatographic–mass spectrometric methods appear appropriate for their sensitive and selective determination in complex biological matrices.
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