During training and competition, athletes are subjected to physical loads that may create levels of stress and fatigue. The successful management of this fatigue, through appropriate periodization, can enhance performance and well-being. To achieve this, the practitioner must have a thorough understanding of fatigue. The use of salivary samples to analyze biomarkers, such as immunoglobulin a, cortisol, and alpha-amylase, have been proposed as useful measures of identifying athlete fatigue and health status. The results from salivary analysis can subsequently be used to monitor athlete load to optimize recovery and promote positive adaptations and enhance athlete health status.
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