| The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is used as a marker of stress, however it is unknown whether CAR will vary in response to acute training load. The orthostatic heart rate test (OHR) is commonly used by athletes, but the evidence for its use is not well established. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of CAR and OHR with acute training loads (TRIMP). TRIMP, CAR and OHR data were collected in endurance athletes (n = 15) during two weeks of training. No significant relationships were found between any variables and TRIMP (all: p > 0.05). The lack of relationships between CAR and OHR suggest these biomarkers are not useful for tracking TRIMP in endurance athletes. However, when accounting for distance, significant relationships were found between CAR and OHR with TRIMP. CAR and OHR can be used to track training load in endurance athletes, as long as both internal and external loads are accounted for. |
