Health Adult Subjects6000MFPOMS2024NCT07243613
Pre-Exercise Mood and Physiological Responses to Maximal Effort in Elite Rowers
An observational study of Health Adult Subjects, run by Poznan University of Physical Education at 1 site in Poland.
Trial summary
This study examined how the body and mood respond to intense physical effort in elite male and female rowers. Athletes completed a maximal rowing test after one week of hard training. Researchers collected blood samples before and after exercise to measure stress hormones and brain-related chemicals. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Health Adult Subjects
- What is being tested?
- Maximal Rowing Test
- How many people
- 28 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePoland
- Study dates
- 15 Mar 2024to 30 Jun 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 19 to 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: All participants were recruited and tested at the Central Sports Centre - Olympic Preparation Center (COS OPO) in Wałcz, Poland, during a national team training camp under standardized conditions.
Who may be able to join
- Aged 19-25 years National-level competitive rower Minimum 5 years of structured rowing training Currently in full training and competition season Completed 7-day standardized high-load training program Provided written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Use of medications or supplements affecting hormonal or neurochemical markers Known endocrine, neurological, or psychiatric disorders Injury or illness interfering with training or testing Incomplete participation in the training camp or testing protocol
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Poland1 site
Poznań University of Physical Education
Poznan, Greater Poland Voivodeship, 61-871
About this study
Official title: Acute Psychoneuroendocrine Responses to Maximal Exertion Following High-Load Training in Elite Rowers: A Sex-Based Comparative Study
This study examined how the body and mood respond to intense physical effort in elite male and female rowers. Athletes completed a maximal rowing test after one week of hard training. Researchers collected blood samples before and after exercise to measure stress hormones and brain-related chemicals. They also used a short questionnaire to assess how the athletes felt emotionally before the test. The goal of the study is to better understand how physical and mental fatigue develop in well-trained athletes, and whether men and women respond differently.
Read the detailed description
This observational cohort study was designed to characterize acute physiological and psychological responses to maximal exertion following a high-load training period in elite male and female rowers. The main aim was to investigate how accumulated training fatigue affects hormonal and neurochemical responses to intense effort, and whether these responses differ by sex.
Participants were national-level athletes undergoing a standardized 7-day training camp, during which they completed identical high-intensity training sessions. On day 8, all participants performed a 2000-m maximal rowing ergometer test under controlled conditions. Blood samples were collected at three time points: before exercise (PRE), immediately post-exercise (POST), and 1 hour post-exercise (1H).
Biomarkers analyzed in serum included cortisol, total testosterone, serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and tryptophan. The testosterone-to-cortisol (T/C) ratio was used as an index of anabolic-catabolic balance, while the 5-HT/DA ratio was examined as a neurochemical indicator of central fatigue.
In parallel, mood state was assessed once prior to the exertion test using the standardized Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. This provided insight into psychological readiness and emotional state entering maximal effort.
A total of 28 athletes (12 females, 16 males) completed the full protocol. There were no missing data. The study did not involve any interventions, randomization, or masking. Statistical analyses included repeated-measures ANOVA for time and group effects, and calculation of within-group effect sizes (Cohen's d).
Although no biospecimens were retained beyond initial analysis, serum samples were processed and stored short-term according to laboratory standards. The study followed ethical approval procedures and informed consent was obtained from all participants. No external monitoring, third-party auditing, or source data verification was implemented, as this was a single-site, non-interventional academic study.
The data collected provide a multidimensional profile of physiological and mood-related responses to intense physical effort under conditions of cumulative fatigue. These findings may inform future monitoring strategies in high-performance sport and support individualized recovery planning.
- Conditions
- Health Adult Subjects
- Being tested
- Maximal Rowing Test
- Keywords
- Exercise-induced Fatigue, Elithe Athletes, Neurtransmitters, Mood State
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Maximal Rowing TestOther
Participants completed a 2000-meter maximal rowing ergometer test on day 8 following a standardized 7-day high-load training period. The test served as the physiological and psychological stressor used to assess acute fatigue responses.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Elite male rowers | Not described Receives: Other: Maximal Rowing Test | |
| Elite female rowers | Not described Receives: Other: Maximal Rowing Test |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Serum Testosterone concentration
Testosterone concentration will be measured in serum using immunoassay. Units: ng/mL.
Measured: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Serum Cortisol concentration
Cortisol concentration will be measured in serum using an immunoassay. Units: ng/mL
Measured: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Serum Serotonin concentration
Serotonin concentration will be measured in serum using an immunoassay. Units: ng/mL
Measured: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Serum Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration
GABA concentration will be measured in serum using an immunoassay. Units: µg/dL
Measured: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Serum Tryptophan concentration
Tryptophan concentration will be measured in serum using an immunoassay. Units: µg/dL
Measured: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Profile of Mood States
Self-reported mood assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS); total and subscale scores.
Measured: Before exercise
Secondary outcomes (2)
T:C ratio
Ratio of serum testosterone to cortisol as an index of anabolic-catabolic balance
Measured: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
S:D ratio
Ratio of serum serotonin to dopamine to assess neurochemical fatigue profile.
Measured: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Nov 2025
- Study start15 Mar 2024
- Primary completion30 Mar 2025
- Study completion30 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Health Adult SubjectsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Poznan University of Physical Education
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Anna Skarpańska-Stejborn, Professor, Study director, Poznań University of Physical Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland;
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07243613
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RowersPOMS20236000
- Acronym
- 6000MFPOMS2024
- Status last verified
- Mar 2024
- First submitted
- 14 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 24 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. Data will be used only for internal analysis and dissemination in scientific publications in aggregate form, in accordance with ethical approval.
Publications
Ostapiuk-Karolczuk J, Kasperska A, Dziewiecka H, Cichon-Wozniak J, Gruszka W, Basta P, Kaczmarczyk S, Reysner M, Skarpanska-Stejnborn A. Pre-exercise mood, sex-specific hormonal and neuromodulatory responses to maximal exertion in elite rowers. Front Physiol. 2026 Jun 12;17:1845286. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1845286. eCollection 2026.
PubMed 42369609
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Psychoneuroendocrine Responses to Maximal Exertion Following High-Load Training in Elite Rowers: A Sex-Based Comparative Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07243613
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 6000MFPOMS2024 / RowersPOMS20236000
- Conditions
- Health Adult Subjects
- Keywords
- Exercise-induced Fatigue, Elithe Athletes, Neurtransmitters, Mood State
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Poznan University of Physical EducationUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Mar 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study examined how the body and mood respond to intense physical effort in elite male and female rowers. Athletes completed a maximal rowing test after one week of hard training. Researchers collected blood samples before and after exercise to measure stress hormones and brain-related chemicals. They also used a short questionnaire to assess how the athletes felt emotionally before the test. The goal of the study is to better understand how physical and mental fatigue develop in well-trained athletes, and whether men and women respond differently.
Detailed description
This observational cohort study was designed to characterize acute physiological and psychological responses to maximal exertion following a high-load training period in elite male and female rowers. The main aim was to investigate how accumulated training fatigue affects hormonal and neurochemical responses to intense effort, and whether these responses differ by sex.
Participants were national-level athletes undergoing a standardized 7-day training camp, during which they completed identical high-intensity training sessions. On day 8, all participants performed a 2000-m maximal rowing ergometer test under controlled conditions. Blood samples were collected at three time points: before exercise (PRE), immediately post-exercise (POST), and 1 hour post-exercise (1H).
Biomarkers analyzed in serum included cortisol, total testosterone, serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and tryptophan. The testosterone-to-cortisol (T/C) ratio was used as an index of anabolic-catabolic balance, while the 5-HT/DA ratio was examined as a neurochemical indicator of central fatigue.
In parallel, mood state was assessed once prior to the exertion test using the standardized Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. This provided insight into psychological readiness and emotional state entering maximal effort.
A total of 28 athletes (12 females, 16 males) completed the full protocol. There were no missing data. The study did not involve any interventions, randomization, or masking. Statistical analyses included repeated-measures ANOVA for time and group effects, and calculation of within-group effect sizes (Cohen's d).
Although no biospecimens were retained beyond initial analysis, serum samples were processed and stored short-term according to laboratory standards. The study followed ethical approval procedures and informed consent was obtained from all participants. No external monitoring, third-party auditing, or source data verification was implemented, as this was a single-site, non-interventional academic study.
The data collected provide a multidimensional profile of physiological and mood-related responses to intense physical effort under conditions of cumulative fatigue. These findings may inform future monitoring strategies in high-performance sport and support individualized recovery planning.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Elite male rowers | – | Other: Maximal Rowing Test |
| Elite female rowers | – | Other: Maximal Rowing Test |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- All participants were recruited and tested at the Central Sports Centre - Olympic Preparation Center (COS OPO) in Wałcz, Poland, during a national team training camp under standardized conditions.
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Aged 19-25 years National-level competitive rower Minimum 5 years of structured rowing training Currently in full training and competition season Completed 7-day standardized high-load training program Provided written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Use of medications or supplements affecting hormonal or neurochemical markers Known endocrine, neurological, or psychiatric disorders Injury or illness interfering with training or testing Incomplete participation in the training camp or testing protocol
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Maximal Rowing TestParticipants completed a 2000-meter maximal rowing ergometer test on day 8 following a standardized 7-day high-load training period. The test served as the physiological and psychological stressor used to assess acute fatigue responses. | Other | Elite female rowers, Elite male rowers |
Primary outcome
Serum Testosterone concentration
Time frame: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Testosterone concentration will be measured in serum using immunoassay. Units: ng/mL.
Serum Cortisol concentration
Time frame: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Cortisol concentration will be measured in serum using an immunoassay. Units: ng/mL
Serum Serotonin concentration
Time frame: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Serotonin concentration will be measured in serum using an immunoassay. Units: ng/mL
Serum Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration
Time frame: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
GABA concentration will be measured in serum using an immunoassay. Units: µg/dL
Serum Tryptophan concentration
Time frame: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Tryptophan concentration will be measured in serum using an immunoassay. Units: µg/dL
Profile of Mood States
Time frame: Before exercise
Self-reported mood assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS); total and subscale scores.
2 secondary outcomes
T:C ratio
Time frame: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
S:D ratio
Time frame: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Nov 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42369609Ostapiuk-Karolczuk J, Kasperska A, Dziewiecka H, Cichon-Wozniak J, Gruszka W, Basta P, Kaczmarczyk S, Reysner M, Skarpanska-Stejnborn A. Pre-exercise mood, sex-specific hormonal and neuromodulatory responses to maximal exertion in elite rowers. Front Physiol. 2026 Jun 12;17:1845286. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1845286. eCollection 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. Data will be used only for internal analysis and dissemination in scientific publications in aggregate form, in accordance with ethical approval.
Related trials for Health Adult Subjects
Not yet recruiting
ACUTE EFFECTS OF HIGH-INTENSITY LASER THERAPY ON PAIN, MUSCLE STIFFNESS, AND GRIP STRENGTH IN HEALTHY ADULTS
Exercise-Induced Muscle Fatigue, Fatigue Recovery
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
Pharmacokinetic Characteristics, Safety, and Immunogenicity of HLX29 Compared With HLX11
Health Adult Subjects
RecruitingObservational study
Circadian Rhythm and Cardiovascular Recovery After Submaximal Exercise
Circadian Rhythm, Health Adult Subjects
Recruiting
Satiety, Microbiome, Appetite Regulation, and Tracking Energy Across Targeted Snacks: Chronic Study
Healthy Participants, Healthy Adult Subject
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Sleep Quality, Adiposity and Diet Quality
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Health Adult Subjects
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Anna Skarpańska-Stejborn, Professor study director
Poznań University of Physical Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland;
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Health Adult Subjects, run by Poznan University of Physical Education at 1 site in Poland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Nov 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Poland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Serum Testosterone concentration (time frame: Before exercise, immediately after, and 1 hour after recovery). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07243613, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Nov 2025.