Playing match venue does not affect resting salivary steroids in elite Futsal players

• Cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) concentrations were significantly elevated after the matches.
• Pre-hormone values were not affected by playing venue.
• Higher post-match C concentration was observed for playing home.
• Greater C post-home match suggests that players may be more concerned of gaining social status playing at their own facility.

This study examined the influence of competition playing venue on the hormonal responses in elite Futsal players. Twenty-one males (age, 19.3 ± 0.7 years; height, 174.2 ± 4.1 cm; body mass, 71.8 ± 7.9 kg) from two Futsal teams were monitored during two competitive matches that were played against each other on a home and away basis. Saliva sampling was conducted before (pre) and after (post) each match. The concentration of salivary steroids (testosterone [T] and cortisol [C]) was assessed by ELISA. Resting concentration of salivary steroid (T and C) hormones was not affected by playing venue (home and away). Both Futsal matches promoted a significant increase in T and C from pre - to post-matches (p < 0.05), with a higher post-C concentration for playing at home (p < 0.05). No effect of playing venue on T was observed. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that the playing venue did not elicit a significant change in resting concentration of salivary steroid hormones. However, playing home induced a greater post-match C response, suggesting that the pressure for positive results in front of supporters, families and friends may impose a higher level of stress on the players at their own facility.