Plasma and salivary measures of testosterone and cortisol levels in basketball players under various games / training conditions, and nutritional strategies: an updated systematic review

Brini, Seifeddine and Clark, Cain and Ouergui, Ibrahim and Delextrat, Anne and Yagin, Fatma Hilal and Muscella, Antonella and Badicu, Georgian and Bouassida, Anissa and Clemente, Filipe Manuel and Al-Mhanna, Sameer Badri and Tabnjh, Abedelmalek Kalefh and Nobari, Hadi and Calleja Gonzalez, Julio (2026) Plasma and salivary measures of testosterone and cortisol levels in basketball players under various games / training conditions, and nutritional strategies: an updated systematic review. Frontiers in Physiology, 16. ISSN 1664-042X

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Abstract

Background

In basketball research, hormonal monitoring has focused almost exclusively on plasma and salivary testosterone and cortisol, as these methods are more practical and accessible for applied sport settings than alternative approaches. Yet, no systematic review recapitulates these two methods together among Basketball players under various (games/training) conditions, and different nutritional strategies.

Objectives

This systematic review synthesized the existing literature on testosterone and cortisol measurements in basketball players using salivary and blood samples under various (games/training) conditions, and different nutritional strategies, and discussed implications for practical monitoring.

Methods

A comprehensive search of electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar) was conducted for studies published between 1999 and 2025. Eligible studies involved basketball players and assessed testosterone and cortisol via salivary or blood sampling during training, matches, or recovery. Data were extracted and narratively synthesized due to heterogeneity and the absence of direct comparison studies.

Results

Forty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Salivary cortisol consistently reflected acute stress responses post-match, aligning closely with blood cortisol measures. Testosterone responses were more variable; salivary testosterone sometimes diverged from blood levels, indicating methodological sensitivity differences. The testosterone-to-cortisol ratio decreased following matches, highlighting a shift toward a catabolic state. Salivary sampling showed practical advantages for field monitoring but requires standardized protocols for testosterone assessment.

Conclusion

Salivary sampling is a promising, non-invasive alternative for monitoring cortisol in basketball players, with practical benefits for field use. However, discrepancies in salivary testosterone measurements compared to blood samples suggest cautious interpretation. The current literature lacks direct comparative studies in basketball, underscoring the need for future research to validate and standardize hormone monitoring methods to optimize training and recovery strategies.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.3389/fphys.2025.1678971
Dates:	Date Event 5 December 2025 Accepted 15 January 2026 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	congested games, training, fatigue, recovery, hormones
Subjects:	CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-02 - sport and exercise sciences > CAH03-02-01 - sport and exercise sciences
Divisions:	Life and Health Sciences > Life and Sports Sciences
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2026 14:42
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2026 14:42
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16840

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