What does this research mean for the field?

Free cortisol and testosterone are highly individualized biomarkers of the stress response that serve as proxy measures for sports readiness, rather than having a clear, uniform causal relationship with subsequent performance. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate whether free cortisol and testosterone serve as reliable, causal biomarkers of physical readiness to perform in athletic environments.

September 2, 2026StressOpen Access

Interpreting cortisol and testosterone: are they markers of readiness to perform?

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Authors

BSBenjamin G. Serpell CCChristian J. Cook

Discussion

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Overview

Scientific review reveals variable cortisol and testosterone responses to pre-exercise priming in athletes, indicating these hormones reflect individual stress rather than direct readiness.

Key Points

Evaluate whether free cortisol and testosterone serve as reliable, causal biomarkers of physical readiness to perform in athletic environments.
Narrative review synthesizing existing evidence on warm-up, exercise, and acute pre-competition priming of cortisol and testosterone.
Assessed demographic, physiological, and psychological mediators of endocrine fluctuations across male and female athletic populations.
No clear causal relationship exists between acute cortisol or testosterone concentrations and subsequent athletic performance.
Endocrine responses to pre-performance stimuli exhibit substantial inter-individual variability shaped by age, sex, training status, and subjective perception of stressors.

Cite This Study

Serpell et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e2c5c562ede874ec7102 https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2026.2723347

View Full Paper

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September 2, 2026StressOpen Access

Interpreting cortisol and testosterone: are they markers of readiness to perform?

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

BSBenjamin G. Serpell CCChristian J. Cook

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Scientific review reveals variable cortisol and testosterone responses to pre-exercise priming in athletes, indicating these hormones reflect individual stress rather than direct readiness.

Key Points

Evaluate whether free cortisol and testosterone serve as reliable, causal biomarkers of physical readiness to perform in athletic environments.
Narrative review synthesizing existing evidence on warm-up, exercise, and acute pre-competition priming of cortisol and testosterone.
Assessed demographic, physiological, and psychological mediators of endocrine fluctuations across male and female athletic populations.
No clear causal relationship exists between acute cortisol or testosterone concentrations and subsequent athletic performance.
Endocrine responses to pre-performance stimuli exhibit substantial inter-individual variability shaped by age, sex, training status, and subjective perception of stressors.

Cite This Study

Serpell et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e2c5c562ede874ec7102 https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2026.2723347

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark