Aim: The aim of the paper is to investigate the effects of competition stress in swimming coaches. Methods: The effect of competition stress on fibrinogen and t-PA antigen concentrations was studied in 14 coaches during an international swimming meeting. Three blood samples were collected at the 1st day of the swimming meeting: a) 30 min before the start of the 1st event of the morning session, b) 10 min before the start of the most important event, and c) during the event itself. These were analyzed for plasma fibrinogen and t-PA antigen. Results: An increase of plasma fibrinogen and t-PA antigen was observed during the race compared to 30 min before the start of the 1st day's event and 10 min before the race. Conclusion: It is concluded that competition stress in a very important event has significant effects on plasma fibrinogen and t-PA antigen concentrations.
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