Have a personal or library account? Click to login
Salivary Alpha-Amylase and Cortisol Changes in Response to Basketball Training in Men and Women Cover

Salivary Alpha-Amylase and Cortisol Changes in Response to Basketball Training in Men and Women

Open Access
|Jan 2026

References

  1. Boroumand M., Olianas A., Cabras T., Manconi B., Fanni D. et al. (2021). Saliva, a bodily fluid with recognized and potential diagnostic applications. Journal of Separation Science 44(19), 3677-3690. DOI:10.1002/jssc.202100384
  2. Nonaka T., Wong D.T.W. (2022). Saliva diagnostics. Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry 15(1), 107-121. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-061020-123959
  3. Tripodi D., Cosi A., Fulco D., D’Ercole S. (2021). The impact of sport training on oral health in athletes. Dentistry Journal 9(5), 51. DOI: 10.3390/dj9050051
  4. Dawes C. (1974). Rhythms in salivary flow rate and composition. International Journal of Chronobiology 2(3), 253-279.
  5. Piątowska D., Szatko F., Borczyk D., Brauman-Furmanek S., Ciesielski P. et al. (2009). Contemporary cariology: clinical procedures. Med Tour Press International. [in Polish]
  6. Nunes S., Macedo D. (2013). Saliva as a diagnostic fluid in sports medicine: Potential and limitations. Jornal Brasileiro de Patologia e Medicina Laboratorial 49(4), 247-255. DOI: 10.1590/S1676-24442013000400003
  7. Pfaffe T., Cooper-White J., Beyerlein P., Kostner K., Puny-adeera C. (2011). Diagnostic potential of saliva: Current state and future application. Clinical Chemistry 57(5), 675-687. DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2010.153767
  8. Leicht C.A, Goosey-Tolfrey V.L., Bishop N.C. (2018). Exercise intensity and its impact on relationships between salivary immunoglobulin A, saliva flow rate and plasma cortisol concentration. European Journal of Applied Physiology 118(6), 1179-1187. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-018-3847-6
  9. Honceriu C., Curpan A.S., Ciobica A., Ciobica A., Trus C. et al. (2021). Connections between different sports and ergo-genic aids – focusing on salivary cortisol and amylase. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) 57(8), 753. DOI: 10.3390/medici-na57080753
  10. Oliveira V.N., Bessa A., Lamounier R.P.M., Santana M.G., Mello M.T. et al. (2010). Changes in the Salivary biomarkers induced by an effort test. International Journal of Sports Medicine 31, 377-381. DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1248332
  11. Diaz M.M., Bocanegra O.L., Teixeira R.R., Soares S.S., Espindola F.S. (2013). Salivary Nitric Oxide and Alpha-Amylase as indexes of training intensity and load. International Journal of Sports Medicine 34, 8-13. DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1316318
  12. Bruzda-Zwiech A., Konieczka M., Hilt A., Daszkowska M., Grzegorczyk J. et al. (2017). Salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase and immunoglobulin A responses to a morning session of basketball or volleyball training in boys aged 14-18 years. Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents 31(1), 105-110.
  13. Ligtenberg A., Liem E., Brand H., Veerman E. (2016). The effect of exercise on Salivary Viscosity. Diagnostics 6(4), 40. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics6040040
  14. Grzesiak-Gasek I., Kaczmarek U., Popowczak M. (2015). The levels of selected Saliva Components in basketball players before and after routine training. Dental and Medical Problems 52(2), 197-204.
  15. Andrysewicz E., Mystkowska J., Dąbrowski J.R., Krawczyk--Dembicka E. (2013). Investigations of tribological and physicochemical properties of human saliva and its substitutes. Engineering of Biomaterials 16(118), 23-29.
  16. Parlak H.M., Buber E., Gur A.T., Karabulut E., Akalin F.A. (2023). Statherin and alpha-amylase levels in saliva from patients with gingivitis and periodontitis. Archives of Oral Biology 145, 105574. DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2022.105574
  17. Nater U.M., Rohleder N. (2009). Salivary alpha-amylase as a non-invasive biomarker for the sympathetic nervous system: Current state of research. Psychoneuroendocrinology 34(4), 486-496. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.01.014
  18. Chicharro J.L., Lucía A., Pérez M., Vaquero A.F., Ureña R. (1998). Saliva composition and exercise. Sports Medicine 26(1), 17-27. DOI: 10.2165/00007256-199826010-00002
  19. Calvo F., Chicharro J.L., Bandrés F., Lucía A., Pérez M. et al. (1997). Anaerobic threshold determination with analysis of Salivary Amylase. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology 22(6), 553-561. DOI: 10.1139/h97-035
  20. Wunsch K., Wurst R., von Dawans B., Strahler J., Kasten N. et al. (2019). Habitual and acute exercise effects on salivary biomarkers in response to psychosocial stress. Psycho-neuroendocrinology 106, 216-225. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.03.015
  21. Ljungberg G., Ericson T., Ekblom B., Birkhed D. (1997). Saliva and marathon running. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports 7(4), 214-219. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.1997.tb00142.x
  22. Capranica L., Lupo C., Cortis C., Chiodo S., Cibelli G. et al. (2012). Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase reactivity to taekwondo competition in children. European Journal of Applied Physiology 112(2), 647-652. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-2023-z
  23. Edmonds R., Burkett B., Leicht A., McKean M. (2015). Effect of chronic training on heart rate variability, salivary IgA and salivary alpha-amylase in elite swimmers with a disability. PLoS One 10(6), e0127749. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-2023-z
  24. Walsh N.P., Blannin A.K., Clark A.M., Cook L., Robson P.J. et al. (1999). The effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise on saliva IgA, total protein and α-amylase. Journal of Sports Sciences 17(2), 129-134. DOI: 10.1080/026404199366226
  25. Marrier B., Durguerian A., Robineau J., Chennaoui M., Sauvet F. et al. (2019). Preconditioning strategy in rugby--7s players: Beneficial or detrimental? International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 14(7), 918-926. DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2018-0505
  26. Tecles F., Tvarijonaviciute A., De Torre C., Carrillo J.M., Rubio M. et al. (2016). Total esterase activity in human saliva: Validation of an automated assay, characterization and behaviour after physical stress. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 76(4), 324-330. DOI: 10.3109/00365513.2016.1163417
  27. De Nys L., Anderson K., Ofosu E.F., Ryde G.C., Connelly J. et al. (2022). The effects of physical activity on cortisol and sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psycho-neuroendocrinology 143, 105843. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105843
  28. Kraemer W.J., Ratamess N.A., Hymer W.C., Nindl B.C., Fragala M.S. (2020). Growth hormone(s), Testosterone, Insulin-like growth factors, and Cortisol: Roles and integration for cellular development and growth with exercise. Frontiers in Endocrinology 11, 33. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00033
  29. Hill E.E., Zack E., Battaglini C., Viru M., Viru A. et al. (2008). Exercise and circulating cortisol levels: The intensity threshold effect. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation 31(7), 587-591. DOI: 10.1007/BF03345606
  30. Moyers S.A., Hagger M.S. (2023). Physical activity and cortisol regulation: A meta-analysis. Biological Psychology 179, 108548. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108548
  31. Athanasiou N., Bogdanis G.C., Mastorakos G. (2023). Endocrine responses of the stress system to different types of exercise. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders 24(2), 251-266. DOI: 10.1007/s11154-022-09758-1
  32. Popowczak M., Rokita A., Struzik A., Cichy I., Dudkowski A. et al. (2016). Multi-directional sprinting and acceleration phase in basketball and handball players aged 14 and 15 years. Perceptual Motor Skills 123(2), 543-563. DOI: 10.1177/0031512516664744
  33. Petway A.J, Freitas T.T., Calleja-González J., Medina Leal D., Alcaraz P.E. (2020). Training load and match-play demands in basketball based on competition level: A systematic review. PLoS One 15(3), e0229212. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229212
  34. Dziurkowska E., Zarzycki P.K. (2007). The role of determinations of steroid hormones in the saliva in modern medical diagnostics. Bromatologia i Chemia Toksykologiczna 4, 401-440.
  35. Whittaker J., Harris M. (2022). Low-carbohydrate diets and men’s cortisol and testosterone: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition and Health 28(4), 543-554. DOI: 10.1177/02601060221083079
  36. Haneishi K., Fry A.C., Moore C.A., Schilling B.K., Li Y. et al. (2007). Cortisol and stress responses during a game and practice in female collegiate soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 21(2), 583-588. DOI: 10.1519/R-20496.1
  37. Moreira A., Aoki M.S., Franchini E., da Silva Machado D.G., Paludo A.C. et al. (2018). Mental fatigue impairs technical performance and alters neuroendocrine and autonomic responses in elite young basketball players. Physiology & Behavior 196, 112-118. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.08.015
  38. Sansone P., Tessitore A., Paulauskas H., Lukonaitiene I., Tschan H. et al. (2019). Physical and physiological demands and hormonal responses in basketball small-sided games with different tactical tasks and training regimes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 22(5), 602-606. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.11.017
  39. Kamarauskas P., Conte D. (2022). Changes in salivary markers during basketball long-term and short-term training periods: a systematic review. Biology of Sport 39(3), 673-693. DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2022.107018
  40. Arruda A.F.S., De Aoki M.S., Paludo A.C., Drago G., Moreira A. (2018). Competition stage influences perceived performance but does not affect rating of perceived exertion and salivaryneuro-endocrine-immune markers in elite young basketball players. Physiology & Behavior 188, 151-156. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.02.009
  41. Foretić N., Nikolovski Z., Madrić D., Perić R., Sekulić D. (2022). Analysis of the associations between salivary cortisol-, alpha-amylase-, and testosterone-responsiveness with the physical contact nature of team handball: a preliminary analysis. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 63(1), 170-177. DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.22.13963-0
  42. Nikolovski Z., Foretić N., Vrdoljak D., Marić D., Perić M. (2023). Comparison between match and training session on biomarker responses in handball players. Sports 11(4), 83. DOI: 10.3390/sports11040083
  43. De Pero R., Minganti C., Cibelli G., Cortis C., Piacentini M.F. (2021). The stress of competing: Cortisol and amylase response to training and competition. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 6(1), 5. DOI: 10.3390/jfmk6010005
  44. Brajovic G., Bogdanovic S., Andjelski-Radicevic B., Popovic B., Mandinic Z. et al. (2021). The effect of exercise during sport training on levels of salivary diagnostic markers. Srpski Arhiv Za Celokupno Lekarstvo 149(11-12), 660-665. DOI: 10.2298/SARH210913095B
  45. Kivlighan K.T., Granger D.A. (2006). Salivary α-amylase response to competition: Relation to gender, previous experience, and attitudes. Psychoneuroendocrinology 31(6), 703-714. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.01.007
  46. Azarbayjani M.A., Fatolahi H., Rasaee M.J., Peeri M., Babaei R. (2011). The effect of exercise mode and intensity of sub-maximal physical activities on salivary testosterone to cortisol ratio and α-amylase in young active males. International Journal of Exercise Science 15(4), 283-293. DOI: 10.70252/TLCE3265.
  47. Kim K.J., Park S., Kim K.H., Jun T.W., Park D.H. et al. (2010). Salivary cortisol and immunoglobulin A responses during golf competition vs. practice in elite male and female junior golfers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 24(3), 852-858. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181c7c394.
  48. Monje C., Rada I., Castro-Sepulveda M., Peñailillo L., Deldicque L. et al. (2020). Effects of a high intensity interval session on mucosal immune function and salivary hormones in male and female endurance athletes. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 19(2), 436-443.
  49. Rutherfurd-Markwick K., Starck C., Dulson D.K., Ali A. (2017). Salivary diagnostic markers in males and females during rest and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 14(1), 27. DOI: 10.1186/s12970-017-0185-8
  50. Yasuda N., Tanioka T., Nakazawa K. (2024). Evaluation of salivary α-amylase and immunoglobulin A responses after endurance exercise in adolescent males and females with similar aerobic fitness. European Journal of Oral Sciences 132(2), e12968. DOI: 10.1111/eos.12968
  51. Shiraiwa K., Nagatani I., Tanaka S. (2013). Gender differences in Salivary Alpha amylase responses to exercise. Rigakuryoho Kagaku 23(4), 451-455.
  52. Thieux M., Guyon A., Seugnet L., Franco P. (2024). Salivary α-amylase as a marker of sleep disorders: A theoretical review. Sleep Medicine Reviews 74, 101894. DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101894
  53. Foretić N., Nikolovski Z., Peric I., Sekulic D. (2020). Testosterone, cortisol and alpha-amylase levels during a handball match; analysis of dynamics and associations. Research in Sports Medicine 28(3), 360-370. DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2020.1759069
  54. Hill Y., Cuijpers L.S., Silva P.L., Den Hartigh R.J., Kiefer A.W. (2023). How does motor performance change with increasing stress doses? A tutorial on dose response profiles applied to crew rowing. Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior 17(6), 270-281. DOI: 10.20338/bjmb.v17i6.398
  55. Goldschmied N., Raphaeli M., Moothart S., Furley P. (2022). Free throw shooting performance under pressure: A social psychology critical review of research. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 20(5), 1397-1415. DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2021.1979073
  56. Gutiérrez-Capote A., Jiménez-Martínez J., Madinabeitia I., Torre E., Leicht A.S. et al. (2025). Influence of environmental pressure and inhibitory control capacity on anxiety, mental workload and shooting performance in multitasking basketball contexts. Psychology of Sport and Exercise 81, 102960 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102960
  57. Veltman J.A., Gaillard A. (1993). Indices of mental workload in a complex task environment. Neuropsychobiology 28(1-2), 72-75.
  58. Cougot B., Gillet N., Moret L., Gauvin J., Caillet P. et al. (2024). Relationship between empowering leadership and stress in a French University Hospital: A cross-sectional study combining the measurement of perceived stress and Salivary Cortisol. Journal of Nursing Management 31, 8839893. DOI: 10.1155/2024/8839893
  59. Yaghoubi K., Alimohammadi I., Abolghasemi J., Shirin Shandiz M., Aboutaleb N., Ebrahimi H. (2020). The relationship between noise annoyance and salivary cortisol. Applied Acoustics 160, 107131.
  60. Evolahti A., Hultcrantz M., Collins A. (2006). Women’s work stress and cortisol levels: a longitudinal study of the association between the psychosocial work environment and serum cortisol. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 61(5), 645-52. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2006.07.022
  61. Zheng C., Price J., Stone D.F. (2011). Performance under pressure in the NBA. Journal of Sports Economics 12(3), 231-252.
  62. Schneider I., Wettstein A., Jenni G., Kühne F., Grosse Holt-forth M. et al. (2025). Salivary alpha-amylase over cortisol ratio as a longitudinal indicator of work stress and psychosomatic strain in teachers. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 21(16), 1492379. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1492379
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pjst-2025-0021 | Journal eISSN: 2082-8799 | Journal ISSN: 1899-1998
Language: English
Page range: 3 - 10
Submitted on: Jul 26, 2025
|
Accepted on: Dec 27, 2025
|
Published on: Jan 18, 2026
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2026 Iwona Grzesiak-Gasek, Anna Wietrzyk, Aleksandra Tęczar, Katarzyna Paliszek-Saładyga, Agata Hutny, Marek Popowczak, published by University of Physical Education in Warsaw
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.