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Int J Sports Med 2016; 37(14): 1159-1165
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-113467
Nutrition
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Exogenous Carbohydrate Reduces Cortisol Response from Combined Mental and Physical Stress

M. J. McAllister
1   Kinesiology, Mississippi State, Mississippi State University, United States
,
H. E. Webb
2   Kinesiology, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, United States
,
D. K. Tidwell
3   Food science nutrition and health promotion, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, United States
,
J. W. Smith
1   Kinesiology, Mississippi State, Mississippi State University, United States
,
B. J. Fountain
3   Food science nutrition and health promotion, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, United States
,
M. W. Schilling
3   Food science nutrition and health promotion, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, United States
,
R. D. Williams Jr.
4   Health and Human Performance, Texas State University, San Marcos, United States
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 15 July 2016

Publication Date:
07 October 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Combined mental and physical stress is associated with exacerbated cortisol production which may increase risk for the progression of cardiovascular disease in individuals working in high-stress occupations (e.g., firefighters, military personnel, etc.). Carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion prior to physical stress may attenuate cortisol concentrations. This project was the first to investigate the effect of CHO ingestion on cortisol response from combined mental and physical stress. 16 men 21–30 years old were randomly assigned a 6.6% CHO beverage or non-CHO control 15 min prior to performing a dual-concurrent-stress challenge. This consisted of physical stress (i.e., steady state exercise) combined with computerized mental challenges. Blood was sampled 70, 40, and 15 min before exercise, immediately at onset of exercise, 10, 20, 30, 35 min during exercise, and 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after exercise. There was a significant main effect for treatment regarding mean cortisol concentrations (F=5.30, P=0.0219). The total area under curve for cortisol was less when CHO was ingested (T7=4.07, P=0.0048). These findings suggest that CHO ingestion immediately prior to combined mental and physical stress may attenuate cortisol responses.

Key words

glucose - exercise - stressor - cardiovascular
 

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