The Effect of Wrestling Training and Sauna Practice on Cortisol and Insulin Hormones

Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of high intensity acute wrestling exercise and sauna exposure on cortisol and insulin hormone responses. Method: After health ethics committee had granted approval, the study was conducted on 14 voluntary male elite wrestlers who had no health problems. Blood measurement was taken from the wrestlers when they were rested, after wrestling exercise and after sauna exposure which was after two days of rest following the wrestling exercise. Hormone analyses were made via IMMULITE 2000 auto-analyzer. Because of the fact that data acquired in the study were not normally distributed, nonparametric statistical analysis using SPSS was applied. Results: It was determined that, after acute wrestling exercise, there was not any significant differences in the levels of cortisol and insulin. It was also concluded that after sauna practice, while there was a significant decrease (P < .05) in cortisol levels, there was no significant change in insulin levels. When cortisol values were compared after wrestling exercise and sauna, it was determined that value following exercise was significantly greater (P < .05), but insulin values did not have a significant difference. Conclusions: It was concluded that the practice of wrestling training by elite wrestlers does not lead to changes in cortisol and insulin levels, while sauna exposure did not have an effect on insulin in a short time as in wrestling exercise but caused a significant decrease in cortisol levels.

Keywords: Wrestling, Sauna, Cortisol, Insulin, Body Mass