AUTHOR=Wegner Mirko , Koutsandréou Flora , Müller-Alcazar Anett , Lautenbach Franziska , Budde Henning 

TITLE=Effects of Different Types of Exercise Training on the Cortisol Awakening Response in Children

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2019

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2019.00463

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2019.00463

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=Context: Due to great variability of stress-related systems, research has to produce more detailed findings to make a more meaningful statement regarding the effect of exercise training (ET) on the cortisol awakening response (CAR), especially in children.
Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of different ET interventions on the CAR in children. 
Design and Setting: We conducted a longitudinal study for ten weeks in primary schools in Westphalia, Germany.
Participants: 71 children (9-10 years old) were randomly assigned to a cardiovascular exercise group (n = 27), a motor exercise group (n = 23), or a control group (n = 21). 
Intervention: An experienced instructor trained the children in an after-school setting in 45 min sessions, three times a week over the course of ten weeks. 
Main Outcome measure: CAR was assessed on two consecutive schooldays before and after the intervention. A Shuttle Run Test was performed to determine the cardiovascular fitness. Motor fitness was assessed using the Heidelberg Gross Motor Test.
Results: Children who enhanced their cardiovascular fitness over the course of the intervention showed an increased CAR after the intervention time (B = 0.213), whereas children who underwent a motor exercise intervention and at the same time gained in motor fitness exhibited a decreased CAR after intervention (B = -0.188). 
Conclusions: It has been speculated that other pathways are activated by different exercise interventions. The extent to which these ET effects on CAR can be applied in clinical settings needs further investigation.