STUDY ON VITAMIN D, CORTISOL AND TESTOSTERONE VALUES IN MALE SKIERS BY SEASONAL CYCLES

Objective: Ski may be a branch which has the most important representation power of all winter sports. It has further been characterized by a high popularity and population which is divided into sub-branches among itself. One sometimes encounters different performance and physiological indicators in the athletes depending on seasonal cycles, training levels and living conditions during the year. The object of this study is to study vitamin D, cortisol and testosterone values in male skiers by seasonal cycles. Material and Methods: Fourteen male skiers between 12 and 18 years of age participated in the study. Participants were studied in two groups by their age ranges. The Group 1 included 7 males whose age average was 13.0±0.8 years, height average was 153.2±8.0 cm and body weight average were 45.7±2.7 kg. The Group 2 included 7 males whose age average was 16.8±1.3 years, height average was 166.0±4.0 cm and body weight average were 64.2±6.6 kg. We determined the age, height and body mass data of the participants by standard methods. We performed a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) in order to determine the anaerobic power level. We took blood samples from the antecubital vein in a seated position. We performed all tests at an altitude of 2.000 meters once in January, April, June and November each. Results: We found a significant difference in the cortisol, WBC, HCT, PP and MP parameters in the intra-group comparison results in the Group 1. And there was a significant difference in vitamin D, PP, AP and PD parameters in the Group 2. In the inter-group comparison results, we found a significant difference only in the testosterone hormone. Conclusions: We thought that the study results supported the literature to a great extent.