Aim: Different studies find that hormonal profile specifically varies depending on the type of exercise and its magnitude. Mood state has been studied using different tools in relation to training load, the most used one is POMS (Profile of Mood States) questionnaire. This research studies the response of total testosterone (TT), cortisol (C) and total testosterone-to-cortisol ratio (RTTC) in relation to mood state (POMS subscales) in a professional basketball team during a season. Methods: Blood samples were taken every 4-6 weeks (7 samples), at 8:00-9:00 AM, in fasting state and after 24 to 36 hours post-game, on a professional basketball team of the Spanish 1st Division (n=10; 26.0 ± 4.6 years; 90.9 ± 9.7 kg; 195.7 ± 8.4 cm; BMI 23.7 ± 1.2; 13.1 ± 2.2% fat). Results: We obtained a significant increase in TT and C in september -2nd sample- compared to august -1st sample- (TT: +2.8 nMol/L, p=0.030; C: +0.093 µMol/L, p=0.040). No significant changes were observed in any of the POMS subscales, and in the correlation between subscales analysis, and no correlation coefficient greater than 0.7 was obtained among subscales and hormonal variables. Conclusions: No relationship was found between the studied hormonal variables and the POMS subscales. We consider the POMS questionnaire an inadequate tool to evaluate the athletes recovery state, but a really good one to control the psychological stress level.
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