Competitive stress assessment using salivary biomarkers in rhythmic gymnastsPetrov, Lubomir (Avtor) Gateva, Maria (Avtor) Alexandrova, Albena (Avtor) Kolimechkov, Stefan (Avtor) sportrhythmic gymnasticssaliva analysissalivary potassiumanxiety markersperformance anxietyStress and adaptation are inevitable components of the gymnastics training in competitive gymnasts. Salivary biomarkers, such as alpha-amylase activity (sAAA), concentration of protein (sP) and potassium (sK+) are useful non-invasive stress indicators. The aim of this study was to assess the stress levels before training and competitions in rhythmic gymnasts by using non-invasive biochemical salivary stress markers and anxiety questionnaires. The study included 10 national level rhythmic gymnasts (mean age: 14.7±1.57 years). Saliva was collected by salivates at three time points: nine days pre-competition at home (baseline), five days pre-competition before a training session, and just before the competition. The sAAA and the sP and sK+ were measured. Trait and state anxiety were evaluated by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. At baseline, the mean sAAA was 5.89±0.75 ln(U/mL) and increased significantly to 6.56±0.58 ln(U/mL) just before the training session (p<0.05) and increased further to 6.90±0.70 ln(U/mL) just before the competition (p<0.05 vs baseline). The mean sP increased progressively insignificantly 1.84±0.70 g/L vs 2.28±0.97 g/L vs 2.91±1.44 g/L, respectively. The mean sK+ was significantly higher before the competition vs the baseline value (35.73±8.3 mmol/L vs 23.94±4.83 mmol/L, p<0.01). The mean state anxiety score was significantly higher before the training session in contrast to the baseline (36.90±11.03 vs 30.80±10.26, p<0.05) and to that before the competition (40.10±9.57 vs 30.80±10.26, p<0.05). In conclusion, the sAAA and sK+ were both in agreement with the anxiety scores, and they can be applied as useful and objective non-invasive markers of stress.20252026-03-11 08:59:36Članek v reviji180525UDK: 796.412:616.89-008.441ISSN pri članku: 1318-2269DOI: 10.52165/kinsi.31.1.100-118COBISS_ID: 239727619sl