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Anticipatory Testosterone Response To Competition In Female Collegiate Endurance Athletes, Becca Adams

Summer Research

High blood testosterone has been linked to the expression of aggressive personalities, but few studies have investigated the relationship between testosterone and competitiveness in anticipation of athletic competition. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-reported competitiveness and the anticipatory pre-competition circulating testosterone level. Twelve college-aged female athletes participated in a track relay-style race. Blood serum testosterone was tested 24 hours prior and 15 minutes prior to a competition using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Subjects completed the Revised Competitiveness Index (RCI) upon finishing the race. A dependent t-test was used to calculate differences between the two serum samples. …