Does the cool-down content affect cortisol and testosterone production after a whole-body workout? A pilot study

Purpose: The Tactical Fitness (TACFIT®) workout has been created merging the characteristics of both high-intensity interval training and functional training, added with compensatory cool-down exercises to speed-up recovery. Aims of our research were to study the effects of two different cool-down strategies, on cortisol and testosterone responses, together with ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), to verify if they have an important role in the modulation of the endocrine responses. Methods: Nine healthy trained men (34.22 ± 7.42 years) performed the same workout, with (TACFIT®+ Asanas protocol) and without (TACFIT®protocol) Asanas postures, in different days. Saliva was collected immediately before (T0) and after (T1) each workout, one hour later its end (T2), at 11:00 p.m. (T3), at 7:00 a.m. (T4) of the following day, and during a non-training day. Before and after each workout the RPE was recorded. Results: Workouts elicited a different cortisol and testosterone production, respect to non-training day. TACFIT®+ Asanas protocol elicited lower salivary cortisol level (p = 0.002) and cortisol to testosterone ratio (p = 0.001) and higher salivary testosterone level (p = 0.01) at T2. Cortisol to testosterone ratio has been shown lower also at T3 (p = 0.02) and T4 (p = 0.04) respect to TACFIT®protocol. TACFIT®+ Asanas protocol elicited a lower RPE at T1 (p = 0.01). Conclusions: TACFIT®workouts can significantly modify salivary cortisol, testosterone, and their ratio, for several hours. The insertion of the Asanas at the end of a TACFIT®workout seems to determine lower salivary cortisol and cortisol to testosterone ratio, and higher testosterone respect to a traditional TACFIT®workout.