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Physical activity and cortisol regulation: A meta-analysis.
Susette A Moyers1, Martin S Hagger2
1Department of Psychological Sciences, University of California, Merced, USA; Center for Rural Health, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA.
Biological Psychology
|March 31, 2023
Summary
Higher physical activity is linked to a steeper diurnal cortisol slope, indicating better stress regulation. However, physical activity did not significantly affect the cortisol awakening response across studies.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Physical activity is recognized for its role in effective stress coping.
- Understanding the impact of physical activity on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation, specifically cortisol patterns, is crucial for stress management research.
Approach:
- A meta-analysis was conducted on studies investigating the relationship between physical activity participation and diurnal cortisol regulation.
- Key metrics analyzed included the diurnal cortisol slope and the cortisol awakening response.
- Moderators such as sociodemographic factors, study design, and measurement methods were examined.
Key Points:
- A small, negative correlation was found between physical activity and the diurnal cortisol slope (r = -0.043), suggesting higher activity is associated with a steeper slope.
- No significant association was observed between physical activity levels and the cortisol awakening response.
- Moderator analyses revealed limited influence of various factors on the physical activity-diurnal cortisol slope relationship.
Conclusions:
- Increased physical activity is associated with enhanced diurnal cortisol regulation, characterized by a steeper slope.
- The cortisol awakening response does not appear to be modulated by physical activity levels.
- Future research should prioritize standardized measures and rigorous methodologies to confirm causality and directionality.
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