The Relationship between Cortisol Hormone and Plasma Metabolites Change in Young Male Runners

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between cortisol hormone and plasma metabolites change in male runners. For this purpose, 16 young male runners (age 21.8 ± 2 years, height 175 ± 5.26 cm, weight 64.17 ± 2.21 kg) volunteered in this study. In order to examine plasma cortisol and metabolites changes, subjects were required to perform Balk exercise test. Blood samples were gathered at rest, immediately and 3 hours after the exercise. We used one-way ANOVA, repeated measures, Tokey test and Pearson correlation analysis to analyze data at P<0.05. The results showed a significant increase in plasma cortisol, lactic acid, and creatinine concentrations immediately after the exercise (P=0.001). A significant correlation was observed between plasma cortisol and lactic acid immediately after the aerobic exercise (P=0.001, r=0.62) whereas there was not a significant correlation between plasma cortisol and lactic acid 3 hours after the exercise. No significant correlation was found between plasma cortisol and creatinine both immediately and 3 hours after the exercise. This finding suggests that an increase in cortisol hormone and serum metabolite might result from exercise intensity. As well, a positive and significant relationship between cortisol hormone and lactic acid following Balke test shows the efficiency of this test and the importance to investigate plasma metabolite and cortisol hormone in young male runners.