INTRODUCTION: In this study we aim to analyse the variation of hormonal, immune autonomic and mood states after the first mesocycle of a winter swimming season, through the behav-iour of well established fatigue markers markers. METHODS: The sample of this study is constituted by 13 male swimmers of national Portuguese level (17,2± 1,3 years old, 174,9 ±5,8 cm, 65,8±6,8 kg of height and weight respectively). Training volume and intensity were registered Blood and saliva samples were collected in the beginning of the winter season, and after 7 weeks of training, by venopuncture, at the same time of the day (between 15 and 17h). A 48 hours rest after the last training session was respected. Serum cortisol and free testosterone were de-termined by Electrochemiluminescent immunoassay and salivary cortisol e testosterona and salivary IgA determined through ELISA. The HRV assessment analysis was done with the Kubios HRV Analysis Software (Kuopio, FIN). The Portuguese version of the Profile of Mood States POMS short form was used for psychologic assessment of the impact of training. RESULTS: The volume of training increased gradually until it doubled the week distance swum with a mean increasing rate of 17,5% per week. Significant higher values of serum and salivary cortisol were found. Although the free testosterone remained stable during this period the testosterone / cortisol ratio decreased significantly. The HRV analysis in the frequency domain revealed an elevation of LF / HF due to the large increment of LF and the decrease of HF. The total score of POMS also showed an alteration towards significant worst score. DISCUSSION: Our results highlight the interest of the use of cortisol as a marker of the impact of chronic training effect, showing higher sensibility when compared to testosterone.. Autonomic imbalance associating increased sympathetic activity and reduced vagal tone has been proposed as a marker of excessive fatigue and impaired performance. The higher LF / HF ratio found in this study seems to confirm this. The results of the POMS demonstrate as reported previously, first signs of the training stress were of psychological nature. CONCLUSION: The sudden increase of the volume of training induced significant alterations the stress hormone cortisol, in the autonomic balance and a deterioration of mood states.
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