Testosterone–Cortisol Ratio as a Marker of Training Load and Recovery in Athletes: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2026.94.73183Keywords
testosterone–cortisol ratio, training load, recovery, athlete monitoring, hormonal responses, physiological stress, cortisol, testosteroneAbstract
Background: Monitoring training load and recovery is essential in athlete management, as inadequate recovery may disturb endocrine regulation and impair adaptation. Among hormonal markers, the testosterone–cortisol ratio has been proposed as an indirect indicator of the balance between anabolic and catabolic processes in response to exercise and training stress.
Aim: This narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the usefulness of the testosterone–cortisol ratio as a marker of training load and recovery in athletes.
Materials and methods: The review included peer-reviewed original studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses identified through PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The literature search focused on testosterone, cortisol, testosterone–cortisol ratio, training load, exercise stress, athlete monitoring, and recovery in athletic and physically active populations.
Results: Available evidence suggests that the testosterone–cortisol ratio is responsive to acute and chronic training stress, competition demands, and recovery status. Changes in the ratio may reflect shifts in anabolic–catabolic balance, but their interpretation is influenced by exercise type, training phase, circadian rhythm, individual variability, and environmental factors. Studies from different sports indicate that the ratio may be useful in longitudinal monitoring, especially when combined with external and internal load measures and subjective indicators of fatigue and recovery.
Conclusions: The testosterone–cortisol ratio may provide valuable information about physiological stress and recovery in athletes, but it should not be used as a standalone marker. Its practical value appears greatest when interpreted longitudinally and integrated with broader monitoring strategies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Damian Grębosz, Krzysztof Lis , Wojciech Kukiełka , Jakub Gałwiaczek , Jarosław Dudek , Jakub Piec , Mateusz Kubicki , Wiktor Zdeb , Mateusz Wnęk ; Anna Gluzicka
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