Salivary cortisol response to a 30 mn submaximal test adjusted to a constant heart rate

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1997 Mar;37(1):56-60.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the salivary cortisol variations during a 30 min sub-maximal exercise, the load being fitted so that the heart rate remains constant at 170 +/- 4 bpm.

Methods: Tests were conducted at 10 a.m. precisely (in order to avoid circadian variations), and cortisol values were recorded every 5 mn by means of a sampling collector over 40 mn), (30 mn bout + 10 mn post-exercise) and then at 30 mn, 1 h 30 mn and 5 h following the end of the exercise. Test values were compared to reference values, (average cortisol resting levels obtained at comparable hours on a previous day). Nine sport-students, (5 boys, 4 girls) entered the study.

Results: The cortisol level presented a significant increase from the first step of the exercise and then, as opposed to an exercise where a constant load is applied, it did not keep increasing but remained steady until the end of the test. After stopping, a new significant increase surprisingly appeared; the values then dropped to reference levels, but they were still higher 1h 30 mn after exercise had stopped.

Conclusions: It appears that when the perceived stress of the body reaches an equilibrium, as controlled by monitoring the heart rate, cortisol levels quickly rise to a steady state, about two folds higher than resting values in our experimental conditions.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Rate / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / analysis*
  • Hydrocortisone / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology
  • Physical Exertion / physiology*
  • Reference Values
  • Saliva / chemistry*
  • Saliva / metabolism
  • Sports / physiology
  • Stress, Physiological / physiopathology

Substances

  • Hydrocortisone