Comparison of Cortisol and Some Physiological Biomarkers Among Athletes Following a Basketball Sports Performance

The current study was designed to investigate the effect of exercise on the level of the cortisol hormone and some physiological variables in male athletes. The cortisol, vitamin C, glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the serum of twenty young male basketball players were measured before and after the exercise. The cortisol values and GSH levels showed a statistically significant decrease after physical effort compared to the result before training, in contrast to vitamin C and MDA levels represent a statistically significant increase. Decreasing cortisol levels after activity showed decreasing stress because exercise for years will reduce the stimulating effect of cortisol secretion. In addition, in response to increased oxidative stress caused by exercise, serum vitamin C increased to prevent oxidative stress. As a result, training in these athletes led to producing reactive oxygen species and thus increased lipid peroxidation, which increased MDA levels by exhausting the antioxidant defense system and reducing GSH levels. Measurement of these biomarkers allows the identification of players affected by severe oxidative stress and indicates the time of intervention for improving their performance and health.

Automated summary

The study investigated the effect of exercise on cortisol hormone level and physiological variables in male athletes. Twenty young male basketball players had their cortisol, vitamin C, glutathione, and malondialdehyde levels measured before and after exercise. The results showed a decrease in cortisol and glutathione levels, but an increase in vitamin C and malondialdehyde levels after exercise. This suggests that exercise reduces stress and increases oxidative stress, leading to increased lipid peroxidation. Monitoring these biomarkers can help identify athletes with severe oxidative stress and determine the appropriate intervention for improving their performance and health.