INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL TRAINING ON CORTISOL LEVELS OF PLAYERS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Cortisol, Ergo-Rowing, Middle Distance, Long Distance
Abstract
Background: Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress.
Method: This study determines the effect of an eight-week physical training program on cortisol in male university athletes in the sports disciplines of ergo rowing, middle-distance running and long-distance running. Ninety participants were recruited from three universities in Lahore and divided into sport categories. The design was short-term longitudinal; cortisol levels were measured at three stages: pre-training, mid-training, and post-training. Baseline cortisol was measured through real competitions and serum cortisol sampling was done by blood tests analyzed by ELISA.
Results: The results indicated that there was a significant decrease in cortisol levels among all exercising groups; the greatest decrease noted was in the long-distance runners.
Conclusion: These current findings give evidence on the basis of efficacy of regular aerobic exercise in decreasing stress by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and underline the importance of structured training with adequate recovery for both optimal stress management and players performance. It underpins a role for aerobic exercise in promoting well-being and decreasing physiological stress markers within competitive settings.
References
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25. Lines, R. L., Ducker, K. J., Ntoumanis, N., Thøgersen‐Ntoumani, C., Fletcher, D., & Gucciardi, D. F. (2021). Stress, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and resilience—The effects of naturalistic periods of elevated stress: A measurement‐burst study. Psychophysiology, 58(8), e13846-e13859.
26. Paragliola, R. M., Corsello, A., Papi, G., Pontecorvi, A., & Corsello, S. M. (2021). Cushing’s syndrome effects on the thyroid. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(6), 3131.
27. Miller, W. L., Flück, C. E., Breault, D. T., & Feldman, B. J. (2021). The adrenal cortex and its disorders. In Sperling Pediatric Endocrinology (pp. 425-490). Elsevier.
28. de Kloet, E. R., & Joëls, M. (2024). The cortisol switch between vulnerability and resilience. Molecular Psychiatry, 29(1), 20-34.
29. McKenzie, S. (2023). Mindfulness at Work: How to Avoid Stress, Achieve More and Enjoy Life! (Vol. 2). Exisle Publishing.
30. Lin, J., Massar, S. A., & Lim, J. (2020). Trait mindfulness moderates reactivity to social stress in an all-male sample. Mindfulness, 11, 2140-2149.
31. Schrack, A., Romaker, E., Joyce-Beaulieu, D., & Zaboski, B. A. (2021). Psychoeducation, Relaxation Training, and Mindfulness. Applied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Schools, 83.
32. Churchill, R., Teo, K., Kervin, L., Riadi, I., & Cosco, T. D. (2022). Exercise interventions for stress reduction in older adult populations: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 10(1), 913-934.
33. Smyth, N., Rossi, E., & Wood, C. (2020). Effectiveness of stress-relieving strategies in regulating patterns of cortisol secretion and promoting brain health. International review of neurobiology, 150, 219-246.
34. Rogerson, O., Wilding, S., Prudenzi, A., & O’Connor, D. B. (2023). Effectiveness of stress management interventions to change cortisol levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 106415.
35. Kinlein, S. A., & Karatsoreos, I. N. (2020). The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as a substrate for stress resilience: Interactions with the circadian clock. Frontiers in neuroendocrinology, 56, 100819.
36. Steiner, J. L., Johnson, B. R., Hickner, R. C., Ormsbee, M. J., Williamson, D. L., & Gordon, B. S. (2021). Adrenal stress hormone action in skeletal muscle during exercise training: An old dog with new tricks?. Acta Physiologica, 231(1), e13522.
37. Nieuwdorp, M. (2024). The Power of Hormones: The new science of how hormones shape every aspect of our lives. Simon and Schuster.
38. De Pero, R., Minganti, C., Cibelli, G., Cortis, C., & Piacentini, M. F. (2021). The stress of competing: cortisol and amylase response to training and competition. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 6(1), 5.
39. Ficarra, G., Caccamo, D., Rottura, M., Bitto, A., Trimarchi, F., & Di Mauro, D. (2023). Testosterone: cortisol ratio as a predictor of podium in adolescent rowing athletes. Heliyon, 9(11).
40. Jürimäe, J., Jürimäe, T., Pihl, E., & Soot, T. (2004). Two-month training camp study: Testosterone and cortisol levels of ergo rowers under low-intensity water rowing conditions. Journal of Sports Sciences, 22(2), 123-131
41. Snegovskaya, V., &Viru, A. (1993). Steroid and pituitary hormone responses to rowing: relative significance of exercise intensity and duration and performance level. European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology, 67, 59-65.
42. Jurimae, J. (2001). Cortisol response in college-level ergo-rowing athletes during an all-out test. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 41(3), 382-387.
43. Bell, G., Syrotuik, D., Socha, T., Maclean, I., & Quinney, H. A. (1997). Effect of strength training and concurrent strength and endurance training on strength, testosterone, and cortisol. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 11(1), 57-64.
2. Kaur, K. K., Allahbadia, G. N., & Singh, M. (2024). An Update on Role of Aerobic Exercise and Endocannabinoids Over Stress Controlling Along with Brain Reward System: A Narrative Review, Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry Research. 2 (2), 1-13.
3. Birnie-Gauvin, K., Patterson, D. A., Cooke, S. J., Hinch, S. G., & Eliason, E. J. (2023). Anaerobic exercise and recovery: Roles and implications for mortality in Pacific Salmon. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 31(4), 497-522.
4. Kazakou, P., Nicolaides, N. C., & Chrousos, G. P. (2023). Basic concepts and hormonal regulators of the stress system. Hormone research in paediatrics, 96(1), 8-16.
5. Zafar, M. S., Nauman, M., Nauman, H., Nauman, S., Kabir, A., Shahid, Z., ... & Batool, M. (2021). Impact of stress on human body: a review. European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 3(3), 1-7.
6. Breitenbach, M., Kapferer, E., Sedmak, C., Breitenbach, M., Kapferer, E., & Sedmak, C. (2021). Hans Selye and the Origins of Stress Research. Stress and Poverty: A Cross-Disciplinary Investigation of Stress in Cells, Individuals, and Society, 21-28.
7. Rochette, E., Saidi, O., Merlin, É., & Duché, P. (2023). Physical activity as a promising alternative for young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Towards an evidence-based prescription. Frontiers in Immunology, 14, 1119930.
8. Leistner, C., & Menke, A. (2020). Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and stress. Handbook of clinical neurology, 175, 55-64.
9. Lema-Pérez, L. (2021). Main organs involved in glucose metabolism. Sugar intake-risks and benefits and the global diabetes epidemic, 1-15.
10. Tsigos, C., Kyrou, I., Kassi, E., & Chrousos, G. P. (2020). Stress: endocrine physiology and pathophysiology. Endotext [Internet].
11. Pearlmutter, P., DeRose, G., Samson, C., Linehan, N., Cen, Y., Begdache, L., ... & Koh, A. (2020). Sweat and saliva cortisol response to stress and nutrition factors. Scientific reports, 10(1), 19050..
12. Dziurkowska, E., & Wesolowski, M. (2021). Cortisol as a biomarker of mental disorder severity. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(21), 5204-5215.
13. Gecaite-Stonciene, J., Hughes, B. M., Kazukauskiene, N., Bunevicius, A., Burkauskas, J., Neverauskas, J., ... & Mickuviene, N. (2022). Cortisol response to psychosocial stress, mental distress, fatigue and quality of life in coronary artery disease patients. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 19373-19382.
14. Law, R., & Clow, A. (2020). Stress, the cortisol awakening response and cognitive function. International review of neurobiology, 150, 187-217.
15. Steinach, M., & Gunga, H. C. (2020). Circadian rhythm and stress. Stress Challenges and Immunity in Space: From Mechanisms to Monitoring and Preventive Strategies, 145-179.
16. Lee, R. S. (2022). The physiology of stress and the human body’s response to stress. In Epigenetics of stress and stress disorders (pp. 1-18). Academic Press.
17. Bermejo, J. L., Valldecabres, R., Villarrasa-Sapiña, I., Monfort-Torres, G., Marco-Ahulló, A., & Do Couto, B. R. (2022). Increased cortisol levels caused by acute resistance physical exercise impair memory and learning ability. PeerJ, 10, e13000.
18. Anderson, T., Wideman, L., Cadegiani, F. A., & Kater, C. E. (2021). Effects of overtraining status on the cortisol awakening response—endocrine and metabolic responses on overtraining syndrome (EROS-CAR). International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(7), 965-973.
19. Von Ah Morano, A. E., Dorneles, G. P., Peres, A., & Lira, F. S. (2020). The role of glucose homeostasis on immune function in response to exercise: The impact of low or higher energetic conditions. Journal of cellular physiology, 235(4), 3169-3188.
20. Impellizzeri, F. M., Menaspà, P., Coutts, A. J., Kalkhoven, J., & Menaspà, M. J. (2020). Training load and its role in injury prevention, part I: back to the future. Journal of athletic training, 55(9), 885-892.
21. Athanasiou, N., Bogdanis, G. C., & Mastorakos, G. (2023). Endocrine responses of the stress system to different types of exercise. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, 24(2), 251-266.
22. Hottenrott, L., Ketelhut, S., Schneider, C., Wiewelhove, T., & Ferrauti, A. (2021). Age-and sex-related differences in recovery from high-intensity and endurance exercise: a brief review. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 16(6), 752-762.
23. Askew, E. W. (2022). Nutrition and performance in hot, cold, and high altitude environments. In Nutrition in Exercise and Sport, Third Edition (pp. 597-619). CRC Press.
24. Smith-Ryan, A. E., Hirsch, K. R., Saylor, H. E., Gould, L. M., & Blue, M. N. (2020). Nutritional considerations and strategies to facilitate injury recovery and rehabilitation. Journal of athletic training, 55(9), 918-930.
25. Lines, R. L., Ducker, K. J., Ntoumanis, N., Thøgersen‐Ntoumani, C., Fletcher, D., & Gucciardi, D. F. (2021). Stress, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and resilience—The effects of naturalistic periods of elevated stress: A measurement‐burst study. Psychophysiology, 58(8), e13846-e13859.
26. Paragliola, R. M., Corsello, A., Papi, G., Pontecorvi, A., & Corsello, S. M. (2021). Cushing’s syndrome effects on the thyroid. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(6), 3131.
27. Miller, W. L., Flück, C. E., Breault, D. T., & Feldman, B. J. (2021). The adrenal cortex and its disorders. In Sperling Pediatric Endocrinology (pp. 425-490). Elsevier.
28. de Kloet, E. R., & Joëls, M. (2024). The cortisol switch between vulnerability and resilience. Molecular Psychiatry, 29(1), 20-34.
29. McKenzie, S. (2023). Mindfulness at Work: How to Avoid Stress, Achieve More and Enjoy Life! (Vol. 2). Exisle Publishing.
30. Lin, J., Massar, S. A., & Lim, J. (2020). Trait mindfulness moderates reactivity to social stress in an all-male sample. Mindfulness, 11, 2140-2149.
31. Schrack, A., Romaker, E., Joyce-Beaulieu, D., & Zaboski, B. A. (2021). Psychoeducation, Relaxation Training, and Mindfulness. Applied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Schools, 83.
32. Churchill, R., Teo, K., Kervin, L., Riadi, I., & Cosco, T. D. (2022). Exercise interventions for stress reduction in older adult populations: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 10(1), 913-934.
33. Smyth, N., Rossi, E., & Wood, C. (2020). Effectiveness of stress-relieving strategies in regulating patterns of cortisol secretion and promoting brain health. International review of neurobiology, 150, 219-246.
34. Rogerson, O., Wilding, S., Prudenzi, A., & O’Connor, D. B. (2023). Effectiveness of stress management interventions to change cortisol levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 106415.
35. Kinlein, S. A., & Karatsoreos, I. N. (2020). The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as a substrate for stress resilience: Interactions with the circadian clock. Frontiers in neuroendocrinology, 56, 100819.
36. Steiner, J. L., Johnson, B. R., Hickner, R. C., Ormsbee, M. J., Williamson, D. L., & Gordon, B. S. (2021). Adrenal stress hormone action in skeletal muscle during exercise training: An old dog with new tricks?. Acta Physiologica, 231(1), e13522.
37. Nieuwdorp, M. (2024). The Power of Hormones: The new science of how hormones shape every aspect of our lives. Simon and Schuster.
38. De Pero, R., Minganti, C., Cibelli, G., Cortis, C., & Piacentini, M. F. (2021). The stress of competing: cortisol and amylase response to training and competition. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 6(1), 5.
39. Ficarra, G., Caccamo, D., Rottura, M., Bitto, A., Trimarchi, F., & Di Mauro, D. (2023). Testosterone: cortisol ratio as a predictor of podium in adolescent rowing athletes. Heliyon, 9(11).
40. Jürimäe, J., Jürimäe, T., Pihl, E., & Soot, T. (2004). Two-month training camp study: Testosterone and cortisol levels of ergo rowers under low-intensity water rowing conditions. Journal of Sports Sciences, 22(2), 123-131
41. Snegovskaya, V., &Viru, A. (1993). Steroid and pituitary hormone responses to rowing: relative significance of exercise intensity and duration and performance level. European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology, 67, 59-65.
42. Jurimae, J. (2001). Cortisol response in college-level ergo-rowing athletes during an all-out test. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 41(3), 382-387.
43. Bell, G., Syrotuik, D., Socha, T., Maclean, I., & Quinney, H. A. (1997). Effect of strength training and concurrent strength and endurance training on strength, testosterone, and cortisol. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 11(1), 57-64.
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Jun 25, 2024
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Hurria Hussein, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Butt, Yasmeen Tabassum, & Muhammad Amir Iqbal. (2024). INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL TRAINING ON CORTISOL LEVELS OF PLAYERS. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 31(6), 2952-2959. https://doi.org/10.53555/jptcp.v31i6.7068
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Author Biographies
Hurria Hussein
Ph.D Scholar, Department of Sport Sciences & Physical Education, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Butt
Professor, Department of Sport Sciences & Physical Education, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan.
Yasmeen Tabassum
Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Sciences & Physical Education, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Amir Iqbal
Lecturer, Institute of zoology, Physiology/endocrinology laboratory, University of the Punjab, Lahore Pakistan
How to Cite
Hurria Hussein, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Butt, Yasmeen Tabassum, & Muhammad Amir Iqbal. (2024). INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL TRAINING ON CORTISOL LEVELS OF PLAYERS. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 31(6), 2952-2959. https://doi.org/10.53555/jptcp.v31i6.7068