Influence of chronic exercise on serum cortisol levels in older adults

Abstract

The circulating level of cortisol is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis through a neuroendocrine feedback circuit. This circuit can be activated by physiological stimuli such as stress, diseases, and exercise. High levels of serum cortisol hormone normally occur as a byproduct of aging, and can cause several types of damage to the organism and exacerbate immunosenescence. There is a great deal of variability in the cortisol response with regard to type, intensity, volume, and frequency of exercise. However, these relationships have been extensively studied with respect to the acute effects of exercise. Despite the well-known effects of acute exercise on cortisol response, it is unclear how it is affected by chronic exercise and the aging process. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a review of studies that attempt to analyze the influence of chronic exercise on serum cortisol hormone in older people. In order to accomplish this goal, a review from 1970 to June 2012 period was performed using the following databases: Biological Abstracts, PsycINFO, PubMed/Medline, and the Web of Science. Eight articles met the criteria used in this study. Based on the included articles, chronic exercise may influence the serum levels of cortisol levels in older people. Despite this evidence, these results may not be generalized to the entire population of older people, given the few number of studies and especially because the studies showed diversity in variables and methodologies. Danilla Icassatti Corazza, conception and design of the study and acquisition of data. Émerson Sebastião, Flavia Gomes de Melo Coelho and Elizabeth Teodorov, revising it critically for important intellectual content. Renata Valle Pedroso and Carla Andreza Almeida Andreatto, drafting the article. Sebastião Gobbi and Ruth Ferreira Santos-Galduróz, conception and design of the study and revising it critically for important intellectual content.

Effect of Functional Fitness on Plasma Oxidation Level in Elders: Reduction of the Plasma Oxidants and Improvement of the Antioxidant Barrier

“…There is evidence suggesting that physical exercise promotes an increase of cortisol levels in both younger and older people, but throughout the aging process, the adaptation and recovery from stress are less efficient, and this can lead to a higher susceptibility to older age diseases. However, the entity of stress is strongly influenced by both the type and the intensity of physical exercise [11].…”

Dual-Task Training with Cisual Stimulation Affect Cognitive and Physical Performances and Brain Wave Ratio of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Also, AD-induced high cortisol levels exert neurotoxic effects on the hippocampus and promote oxidative stress, leading to depression, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline (43). On the other hand, one of the protective effects of regular exercise is lowering the serum cortisol level (44). Although these factors were not measured in this study, the observed improvements can be explained by these mechanisms.…”

A randomised-controlled trial pilot study examining the effect of pelvic floor muscle training on steroid hormone concentrations in elderly women with stress urinary incontinence

“…An increase of cortisol activity induced by physical exertion may lead to a reduction in testosterone concentration in blood [32][33][34]. The ratio of serum cortisol (catabolic hormone) to free testosterone (anabolic hormone) is a key indicator of physical exertion and anaboliccatabolic homeostasis [35]. The present study did not reveal any statistically significant correlations between cortisol and testosterone concentrations (r = -0.182) in members of the EG, who underwent a four-week pelvic floor muscle training.…”