Cortisol response to physical activity in African American toddlers attending full-time day care.
The purpose of this study was to examine African American toddlers' cortisol response to acute physical play activity within a full-time subsidized day care environment. Saliva samples were taken from participants (N = 22, ages 26-45.5 months) before and after physical play and control play conditions at the same time of day. Actiheart monitors were used to estimate the intensity of the play conditions. Although heart rate and other indicators were significantly higher during physical play, no change in cortisol levels was seen pre- to postphysical play. Further research is needed to better understand the cortisol response observed.
Wall
Sarah J
SJ
Department of Health and Physical Education at Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM 88130, USA. sarah.wall@enmu.edu
Rudisill
Mary E
ME
Gladden
L Bruce
LB
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001741:Black or African American; D000407:Alabama; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011203:Poverty; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013997:Time Factors
D006854:Hydrocortisone