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The free testosterone to cortisol ratio (fTC) and heart rate variability (HRV) indices have been independently proposed as objective biomarkers of physiological resilience and readiness, respectively. It is hypothesized that individuals that enter a training period with high resilience and readiness would have a greater positive response to the training. PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between fTC and HRV with fitness changes in division I male college soccer players. METHODS: Two division I teams were recruited to participate in this study. Participants completed an orthostatic HRV challenge (supine, sitting, standing) and provided blood samples prior to the 6-week Spring training period. The HRV indices of root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and high frequency power (autoregressive, normalized; HF) were calculated in all postural conditions. Blood samples were assayed for free testosterone and cortisol using competitive binding ELISAs. Participants completed the yo-yo intermittent recovery test (YYIR) before and after the 6-week training period and the absolute increase in distance (m) achieved during the YYIR represented the change in fitness (YYIRΔ). Separate linear regression models tested the association of fTC and all HRV indices and their interactions with YYIRΔ. All predictors were first centered and scaled and alpha level was set at p < 0.05 for all models. RESULTS: Participants (n = 21, age = 19.5±1.0 years, height = 179.0±6.4 cm, weight = 76.9±9.4 kg, body fat = 12.6±4.3 %) from the two teams did not differ in YYIRΔ (mean±SD = 438±212, p = 0.64). A significant association with YYIRΔ was observed for the interaction between fTC and HFsitting (F(3,17) = 4.31, β = 4.92,p = 0.02, R² = 0.33). No other indices or interactions were significantly associated with YYIRΔ. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that HRV and fTC represent potential objective pre-training biomarkers capable of identifying athletes that will be most responsive to individualized fitness and conditioning programs. Further research is necessary to confirm the utility of these specific objective biomarkers in larger cohorts and across multiple training situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Animal research suggests that variations in daily dietary macronutrient distribution may impact fluid consumption. However, this has not been fully investigated in humans. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of dietary intake on fluid intake, thirst, and urinary hydration biomarkers. METHODS: Thirty-four participants (44% female; age: 23±4 years; height: 172.9±10.3cm; body mass: 77.2±18.1kg; body fat: 18.4± 8.4%) recorded their food and fluid intake, and provided a 24h urine sample over seven consecutive days. Urinary hydration biomarkers included urine volume (UVOL), urine osmolality (UOSM), urine specific gravity (USG), and urine color (UCOL). Each morning, participants completed two subjective ratings of perceived thirst; a 9-point Likert scale, and 100mm visual analog scales comprised of six indices (thirstiness, pleasantness, dryness, taste, fullness, sickness). RESULTS: Mean weekly macronutrient percentages and total calorie intake were used in multiple regression models as predictors of average total fluid intake, thirst, and urinary hydration markers. Throughout the week, participants reported consuming, on average, 1945±429 calories (36.5±4.4% fat, 44.3±6.3% carbohydrate, 18.5±4.5% protein) and 2508±1122mL fluid per day. Mean 7-day 24h urinary hydration markers were UVOL:1724±850mL, USG :1.017±0.005, UOSM: 565±212, UCOL: 3.89±0.99. Dietary intake that was higher in percentage of fat consumed was associated with higher ratings of "fullness" on morning thirst scale sub ratings (adj R² = 0.1181, p =0.0167). Consuming a greater proportion of calories from protein was associated with increased UVOL (adj R² = 0.1370, p = 0.0340). However, protein intake was not significantly associated with fluid intake (adj R2 = 0.0569, p = 0.2516), regardless of the type of fluid consumed (p > 0.05). UOSM, USG, UCOL and the other indices of thirst were not associated with macronutrient consumption (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest increased consumption of dietary protein intake is associated with improved hydration status based on increased 24h urine volume, with the maintenance of other urinary hydration indices. Grant or Funding Information: This study was funded by a University of North Carolina at Greensboro Office of Research Engagement New Faculty Grant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]