Award Date

5-1-2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Exercise Physiology

Department

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences

First Committee Member

James Navalta

Second Committee Member

John Young

Third Committee Member

Richard Tandy

Fourth Committee Member

Daniel Young

Number of Pages

93

Abstract

Determining body stress levels is important when developing training programs for athletes and rehab facilities. Stress levels during exercise are commonly measured using heart rate, oxygen consumption (VO2), and blood biomarkers. These collection measures involve training on the part of the data collector and the participant, are invasive, and themselves elicit some stress. The purpose of this study is to test whether a 10-min repetitive jumping session will cause a significant increase in salivary alpha-amylase, a potential stress biomarker. This study also looks to determine if a 20-min recovery is enough time for amylase levels to return to baseline. Amylase levels could prove to be a beneficial addition to stress testing as a biomarker of autonomic nervous system activity, or perhaps could be used instead of heart rate and VO2, thus limiting the need for bulky and costly equipment. Amylase levels could also potentially be used as an assessment of fitness level, and an individual's reaction to training. Salivary amylase may also prove to be a useful biomarker for individuals on medications such as beta-blockers, which affect heart rate during exercise.

Participants included 10 men and women, aged 18-32, without heart, respiratory, or musculoskeletal limitations to exercise. Participants completed a treadmill maximal effort test (GXT), and a jumping session (JP) where saliva was collected, pre, post and 20-min post the jumping session. Data were evaluated using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Analysis revealed a significant increase in salivary amylase levels over resting levels (p0.05). Based on analysis, salivary amylase levels could be used in addition to other stress markers, but further research is needed to consider whether amylase levels could be used in place of heart rate or VO2 measurements. Further research should also focus on gathering additional amylase during exercise to evaluate a possible dose response of amylase levels.

Keywords

Amylase; Biochemical markers; Exercise--Physiological aspects; Stress (Physiology)

Disciplines

Exercise Physiology | Kinesiology | Physiology

File Format

pdf

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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