Key result
Changes in high-frequency power during standing were positively correlated with the serum testosterone-to-cortisol ratio at day 7 of military service (r=0.45, P<0.05).
Observational (n=24)
Effect estimate: r = 0.45 for HF power, r = -0.42 for HR
p-value: p=<0.05
Changes in cardiac vagal regulation during mental stress are associated with the serum testosterone-to-cortisol ratio, particularly during controlled standing.
Vagal-hormonal correlation during stress is hypothesis-generating; leaves open whether T/C ratio modulates autonomic responses in military trainees.
The autonomic nervous system and circulating hormones control a stress reaction through a complex interaction. We tested the hypothesis that changes in cardiac vagal regulation may be positively associated with the serum testosterone‐to‐cortisol ratio during the first week of military service in 24 conscripts aged 19.0±0.3 years. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed by measuring high‐frequency (HF: 0.15–0.4 Hz) and low‐frequency (LF: 0.04–0.15 Hz) power spectral indices of R‐R intervals during supine rest and during a controlled standing condition (5 min for both) from the second to the seventh mornings at the beginning of military service. Blood samples were collected to analyse the basal serum testosterone‐to‐cortisol ratio on the seventh morning. Changes in heart rate and high‐frequency power measured in the standing condition were positively correlated with the serum testosterone‐to‐cortisol ratio at day 7 ( r = − 0.42 and r =0.45, respectively; P <0.05 for both). However, changes in low‐frequency power and LF/HF ratio did not correlate with testosterone or cortisol concentration. The present results suggest a relationship between changes in cardiac vagal regulation during a long‐term mentally stressful condition and the serum testosterone‐to‐cortisol ratio. This association was more marked during the controlled standing condition.
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Huovinen et al. (2009) conducted an observational in Mental stress during military service (n=24). Changes in cardiac vagal regulation was evaluated on Correlation between changes in heart rate and high-frequency power with serum testosterone-to-cortisol ratio at day 7 (r = 0.45 for HF power, r = -0.42 for HR, p=<0.05). Changes in high-frequency power during standing were positively correlated with the serum testosterone-to-cortisol ratio at day 7 of military service (r=0.45, P<0.05).
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