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Lack of Correlation between Carrier Protein and Stress Hormone Fluctuations Following Acute Intensive Aerobic Exercise in Young Male Runners

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Exercise Physiology (PhD), Department of Exercise Physiology, Sanandaj University.

2 Exercise Physiology (PhD), Department of Physiotherapy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.

3 Exercise Physiology (MSc), Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

4 Exercise Physiology (PhD), Department of Sports Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.

5 Exercise Physiology (PhD)TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Abstract

Purpose: Vigorous physical exercise causes notable alterations in the circulatory system, affecting stress hormones and plasma proteins. Cortisol serves as a primary glucocorticoid hormone, while albumin, globulin, and hemoglobin function as important carrier proteins. However, how cortisol levels after exercise interact with these proteins is not well understood. This research aimed to explore the association between serum cortisol and the levels of albumin, globulin, and hemoglobin following a single session of intense aerobic exercise in young male runners. Method: Twelve healthy young male runners (average age 21.38 ± 0.95 years; VO₂max 50.81 ± 2.35 ml/kg/min) completed a 15-minute Balke treadmill test. Blood samples were collected before exercise, immediately after, and three hours post-exercise (recovery) to assess serum cortisol, albumin, globulin, and hemoglobin concentrations. Hematocrit measurements were used to adjust for changes in plasma volume. Statistical analysis involved one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test and Pearson correlation. Results: Immediately after exercise, there were significant increases in cortisol (61.4%), albumin (7.5%), globulin (10.5%), and hemoglobin (10.5%) (p<0.05). After three hours of recovery, cortisol, albumin, and hemoglobin levels returned to baseline, whereas globulin remained significantly elevated (p<0.05). No significant correlations were detected between cortisol changes and any of the carrier proteins at any time point (p>0.05). Conclusion: A single session of intense aerobic exercise markedly raises serum cortisol and key carrier proteins in young runners. The absence of correlation between cortisol and these proteins suggests that their immediate post-exercise increases are likely driven by factors other than cortisol fluctuations, such as hemoconcentration and changes in hydrostatic pressure, rather than direct hormonal stimulation.

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References
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New Approaches in Exercise Physiology
Volume 6, Issue 12 - Serial Number 12
December 2024
Pages 21-37
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