Volume 2, Issue 6 pp. 370-375
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Perceived stress and salivary cortisol on rock climbing

Leonardo P. Madeira

Corresponding Author

Leonardo P. Madeira

Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Muruci, Diamantina, Brazil

Correspondence

Leonardo P. Madeira, Departamento de Educação Física, Rodovia MGT 367 - Km 583, nº 5000, Alto da Jacuba, ZIPCODE: 39100-000 – Diamantina, MG, Brazil.

Email: [email protected]

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Filipy Borghi

Filipy Borghi

LABEEST - Laboratory of Stress Study, Department of Structural and Functional Biology. Institute of Biology, University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil

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Vinicius D. Wilson

Vinicius D. Wilson

Pró Reitoria de Assuntos Comunitários e Estudantis, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Muruci, Diamantina, Brazil

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Aglécio L. Souza

Aglécio L. Souza

Unidade Metabólica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil

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Maria Cecília Pires-da-Rocha

Maria Cecília Pires-da-Rocha

LABEEST - Laboratory of Stress Study, Department of Structural and Functional Biology. Institute of Biology, University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil

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Heloisa A. Ferreira

Heloisa A. Ferreira

LABEEST - Laboratory of Stress Study, Department of Structural and Functional Biology. Institute of Biology, University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil

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Dora M. Grassi-Kassisse

Dora M. Grassi-Kassisse

LABEEST - Laboratory of Stress Study, Department of Structural and Functional Biology. Institute of Biology, University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil

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Gisele M. Schwartz

Gisele M. Schwartz

Laboratório de Estudos do Lazer, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Rio Claro, Brazil

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First published: 29 July 2019
Citations: 4

Abstract

Rock climbing is a recreational activity that has been steadily growing in popularity over the years. The literature suggests that performers considered lead climbing was more stressful than other styles, but only few authors evaluated physical and mental stress was inherently associated with rock climbing. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived stress and salivary cortisol release in rock climbers during two specific lead conditions: on-sight lead climb (OC) and flash lead climb (FC) in outdoors routes. Five intermediate male climbers (27.40 ± 1.30 years) volunteered to attend anthropometric and body composition testing sessions. Psychological stress was measured by perceived stress questionnaire (PSQ), and salivary cortisol was collected at five times in rest (RD) and climbing days, before and after the protocols. PSQ score was 0.21 ± 0.04 and they exhibited rhythmicity in daily cortisol production, which is most evidenced on RD with all values statistically different from upon awakening. No differences were observed when the days were compared by time point, total daily amount produced (AUC), or before and after the protocol. In conclusion, findings suggest that intermediate climbers appear to produce similar psychological or physiological responses during both climb style, but only on-sight exhibited an alteration in daily cortisol production.

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