Neurotransmitter Analysis, Stress, and Energy Availability in Athletes

The goal of this observational study is to examine if there is a correlation between energy deficiency, neurotransmitter levels, and exercise test performance among athletes in the Polish national rowing team. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does relative energy deficiency (RED) impact neurotransmitter levels and, consequently, athletic performance? Can monitoring energy availability, neurotransmitter levels, and psychological factors provide insights into physiological and psychological adaptations to intense training? Researchers will compare results obtained before the exercise test with those taken immediately after and following a 1-hour recovery period to assess changes in performance, biochemical markers, and psychological responses.

Participants will:

* Engage in a standardized exercise test.
* Undergo assessments of energy availability, neurotransmitter levels, and performance at multiple time points (pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and post-1-hour recovery).
* Complete psychological questionnaires assessing stress levels, recovery, and energy availability.

This study aims to identify potential links between energy status, biochemical responses, psychological well-being, and athletic performance, allowing for targeted interventions to optimize training outcomes.

The primary goal of this project is to optimize athletic training for the national rowing team through comprehensive multi-dimensional monitoring. This approach aims to enhance athletes' performance capabilities and readiness for high-level competition. The Polish national rowing team consistently wins medals at international events, with the Olympic medal being the ultimate achievement for these athletes. Given this high standard, special attention is placed on preparing the athletes, not only in terms of physical readiness but also through continuous monitoring of adaptive processes. This proactive approach enables early detection of adverse changes, allowing for rapid adjustments to the training process to prevent fatigue and overtraining.

Building on the previous year's findings, this project focuses on the effects of relative energy deficiency (RED) in sports. Introduced by the International Olympic Committee in 2014, RED refers to a syndrome of impairments that arise from low energy availability (EA) due to an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure relative to lean body mass. In high-performance sports like rowing, athletes experience internal and external pressures to maintain peak performance, which often impacts energy intake and expenditure. Low energy availability (LEA) initially leads to negative energy balance and weight loss, as the body's energy reserves are used to meet demand. Over time, chronic LEA results in metabolic and physiological adaptations, reducing total energy expenditure to prevent further weight loss. While body weight and fat mass may stabilize, athletes can experience compromised physiological functions due to LEA.

LEA impacts recovery, muscle mass, neuromuscular function, and increases injury risk, all of which can detrimentally affect performance. Sustained LEA aimed at reducing body mass or fat levels can lead to health and performance declines, a pattern seen in both male and female athletes. Recent awareness highlights that male rowers, previously assumed to be protected due to their higher lean mass and body size, may also experience RED-S. The demands of high-level rowing, often involving six hours of intense daily training with long endurance sessions and strength workouts, create challenges in meeting energy requirements.

This project involves biochemical assessments alongside psychological questionnaires to monitor athletes' stress, recovery, and energy availability. Such comprehensive monitoring provides insights into both the physical and mental responses to training stressors, supporting the development of tailored interventions for optimal performance and health in elite rowers.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Gender and Biological Sex Alignment: Participants' self-identified gender must align with their biological sex due to the effects of sexual dimorphism on athletic performance.

Sex: Both male and female athletes are eligible to participate. Training Level: Participants must be highly trained, with a minimum of 5 years of consistent, high-level athletic training experience.

Experience: Participants should have competitive experience at a regional, national, or international level.

Health Status: Participants must be healthy, with no current or chronic medical conditions, injuries, or diseases that could affect study outcomes.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Gender-Biological Sex Mismatch: Individuals whose self-identified gender does not align with their biological sex are excluded, to maintain consistency in data affected by sexual dimorphism.

Training Level: Recreational athletes, individuals with less than 3 years of high-level training, or those lacking competitive experience are excluded.

Health Conditions: Individuals with any medical conditions, chronic illnesses, acute injuries, or undergoing treatments that may interfere with athletic performance or study variables are excluded.

Medication: Use of medications or supplements that could influence metabolism, muscle composition, or overall physical performance results in exclusion.

Other Factors: Any other factors, such as lifestyle habits (e.g., smoking, excessive alcohol use), that could affect physiological responses to training and testing, are grounds for exclusion.