Investigating the Difference in Stress and Cortisol Response Between Male and Female Division 1 Hockey Players

Male and female Division 1 athletes regularly experience high pressure situations. Ice hockey requires exceptional stress tolerance due to its intense physical and mental demands. One way the body responds to stress is through cortisol which is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis. Cortisol binds to two receptors: glucocorticoid receptors and mineralocorticoid receptors. Glucocorticoid receptors are widely distributed throughout the body and brain and have a lower affinity for cortisol, activating during high stress situations to regulate immune responses, metabolism, and other effects. Mineralocorticoid receptors are concentrated in specific brain regions and have a higher affinity for cortisol, binding at low basal levels and regulating the initial stress response. This system enables the body to respond to stress by mobilizing energy, suppressing non-essential functions such as digestion, and keeping the body focused and alert. However, prolonged levels can hinder recovery from performance by affecting sleep and muscle amino acid uptake among other factors. Previous research has shown a positive correlation between consistent exercise and lower cortisol levels, indicating improved stress regulation. Some studies suggest differences in how males and females respond to stress in terms of cortisol. Men typically exhibit a faster and more pronounced cortisol increase during performance based stress and greater reactivity to acute psychological stress. In females, hormonal influences such as estrogen can affect the HPA axis by interacting with glucocorticoid receptors and reducing sensitivity to the negative feedback loop, potentially resulting in higher and more prolonged cortisol levels. We hypothesized that male and female division 1 hockey players would show differences in cortisol responses to stress. To test this, acute psychosocial stress was induced in student athletes using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a standardized protocol designed to activate the HPA axis and elicit measurable cortisol responses. Participants completed a three-minute mock job interview speech and a mental arithmetic task performed in front of an evaluative panel. Saliva samples were collected at predetermined time points to measure stress-related changes in cortisol levels. Identifying potential sex differences in stress responses among Division 1 athletes may provide insight into how training, preparation, and recovery strategies can be optimized.