Abstract

There are various studies that have demonstrated the importance of the Testoste¬rone (T), the Cortisol (C) and its ratio (FTCR) to determine the grade of adaptation to training (Adlercreutz et al., 1986; Lutoslawska el al., 1991; Vervoorn et al.; 1991; Rich et al., 1992; Vervoom et al.; 1992; Guglielmini et al.; 1992; LOpez et al.; 1993; Marinelli et al., I994).To diagnose overtraining in an athlete though the ratio testosterone/cortisol (FTCR), the absolute criteria (Harkonen et al., 1984; is – (used, that is when the value of the FTCR is less than 0.35×10 , taking into account that the T is measured in mito1/1 and the C in pmel/l. Equally the relative Criteria (lessening of the initial level by 30% or more) is fixed as an indication of the valoration in the lack of recovery time, always that it does not reach the absolute criteria. Based on these figures we have carried strength training with adolescents (ii=7) twice a week for 18 weeks (two periods of 7 and 8 works respectively separated by a 3 week rest period that we compared with another group (n=9) that pursued a normal life, during the same period. The strength training produced drops in FTCR, without causing overtraining, as we could deduce from the fact that no subject reached Absolute Criteria. To sum up, the application in adolescents of strength work in circuit, is effective when applied in 7 or 8 week periods with an intermediate rest period of 3 weeks, remembering to modify in the second period the intensity of the exercises, to avoid boredom.