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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Collecting Saliva and Measuring Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase in Frail Community Residing Older Adults via Family Caregivers
Published on: December 18, 2013
Resting-Exercise Salivary Cortisol Responses: Detecting the Magnitude of Hormonal Change Over Time
Anthony C Hackney1, Travis Anderson1
1Endocrine Section-Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise & Sport Science. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Abstract:
This study investigated the validity of salivary cortisol responses to reflect blood cortisol responses relative to the magnitude of change observed over time in the hormone. Male subjects (n=25) conducted four experimental sessions (ES) where blood (B) and saliva (S) were obtained before (PS) and after (PoS) a 30 min resting control, 40%, 60%, and 80% of maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) exercise ES. B and S specimens were analyzed by standard biochemical procedures. Hormonal concentrations changes were assessed by using absolute delta (DA) values (PoS - PS) and percent change (PC) calculations ((PoS-PS)/PS × 100) for each B and S specimen. Subsequent DA and PC values were correlated (Pearson) for each B-S specimen pairing (n=100; n=25 × 4 ES). Results indicate the magnitude of change (PoS vs. PS) in S cortisol is more valid and strongly associated (p<0.001) with corresponding B changes (the "gold standard") when expressing the data as delta values using absolute hormonal concentrations as compared to percent change expression.
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