Journal
JOURNAL OF AGING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Volume 22, Issue 4, Pages 465-473Publisher
HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC
DOI: 10.1123/JAPA.2012-0082
Keywords
cortisol:DHEA ratio; diurnal; physical activity; life events stress; older adults
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Funding
- Economic and Social Research Council [ES/H043772/1] Funding Source: researchfish
- Medical Research Council [MR/K00414X/1] Funding Source: researchfish
- ESRC [ES/H043772/1] Funding Source: UKRI
- MRC [MR/K00414X/1] Funding Source: UKRI
- Medical Research Council [MR/K00414X/1] Funding Source: Medline
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The present study examined the relationship between habitual physical activity, life events stress, the diurnal rhythms of cortisol and DHEA, and the cortisol:dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) ratio in older adults. Thirty-six participants aged 65 reported their habitual physical activity, and indicated if a particular event happened to them in the past year (stress incidence) and how stressful they perceived the event to be (stress severity). Older adults with higher stress severity demonstrated a significantly higher cortisol:DHEA ratio. Individuals with higher stress incidence scores and who did not participate in aerobic exercise had a significantly higher cortisol:DHEA ratio and flatter DHEA diurnal rhythm compared with those who regularly participated in aerobic exercise. In conclusion, life events stress may have a negative impact on the cortisol:DHEA ratio in older adults. Under conditions of high stress exposure, exercise may protect older adults from an increased cortisol:DHEA ratio and flatter DHEA diurnal rhythm.
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