Exercise and the Cortisol Awakening Response: A Systematic Review
Travis Anderson1, Laurie Wideman2
1University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA. t_ander2@uncg.edu.
Sports Medicine - Open
|October 12, 2017
Summary
The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is a stress biomarker. Current research on exercise and CAR is limited, with inconsistent findings suggesting more studies are needed to understand its use in sports science.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is a validated biomarker for psychological stress.
- Its application in exercise and sports science is limited and underutilized.
- Understanding CAR's role in exercise stress monitoring is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature combining exercise and CAR.
- To assess CAR's utility as a marker for exercise-induced stress.
- To guide future research on CAR and exercise.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines.
- Searches across major scientific databases (PubMed, SportDISCUS, Scopus, PsychInfo).
- Inclusion of studies investigating both exercise and CAR.
Main Results:
- 32 studies were analyzed from over 10,000 initial articles.
- No studies focused on laboratory-controlled exercise effects on CAR.
- Variable CAR responses observed, attributed to methodological inconsistencies.
- Evidence suggests an exercise threshold may influence the HPA axis and CAR.
- CAR may reflect cumulative exercise and anticipated stress, complicating interpretation.
Conclusions:
- Further research is essential to clarify exercise's impact on CAR.
- Key areas for future study include controlled exercise loads, standardized sample collection, and consistent CAR analysis.
- Addressing these gaps will enhance CAR's utility in exercise and sports science.
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