Capillary Cortisol Sampling during High-Intensity Exercise

S. Fryer; S. Hillier; T. Dickson; N. Draper; L. Stoner; D. Winter; J. Young; L. Cohen

doi:10.1055/s-0032-1311584

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2012; 33(10): 842-845
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1311584

Clinical Sciences

Capillary Cortisol Sampling during High-Intensity Exercise

S. Fryer

¹School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

,

S. Hillier

²Emergency Medicine, Tauranga Hospital, Tauranga, New Zealand

,

T. Dickson

¹School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

,

N. Draper

¹School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

,

L. Stoner

³School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

,

D. Winter

¹School of Sciences and Physical Education, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

,

J. Young

⁴Lipid and Diabetes Research Group, Diabetes Research Institute, Christchurch, New Zealand

,

L. Cohen

⁵Emergency Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Venepuncture is the established “gold standard” for sampling cortisol, but it is expensive, highly invasive and impractical for many experimental and clinical settings. Salivary free cortisol is a non-invasive and practical alternative; however, when cortisol concentrations exceed 500 nmol · L there is a lack of agreement between salivary (free) and venous (bound) cortisol. No known research has assessed whether capillary cortisol accurately reflects venous blood cortisol across a range of concentrations. The objective of the current study was to determine the agreement between capillary and venous blood samples of total plasma cortisol across a range of concentrations. 11 healthy male subjects (26.1±5.3 years) were recruited. Capillary and venous blood samples were collected pre and post (immediately post and post 5, 10, 15 and 20 min) a treadmill VO_2max test. Regression analysis revealed a strong relationship (R²=0.96, y=1.0028x+1.2964 (P<0.05)) between capillary and venous cortisol concentrations. A Bland-Altman plot showed all data was within the upper and lower bounds of the 95% confidence interval, and no systematic bias was evident. In conclusion, capillary sampling is a valid technique for measuring bound cortisol across a range of concentrations.

Key words

validation - cortisol - capillary - high-intensity exercise

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References

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