Effect of increase in cortisol level due to stress in healthy young individuals on dynamic and static balance scores

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Stress is a condition caused by various factors and characterized by imbalance in body functioning, impair innervous system, and tension. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cortisol level, which increases in healthyyoung individuals due to stress, on dynamic and static balance scores as well as to present the results caused by high levelsof stress.METHODS: In this study, 107 healthy medicine faculty students in their second year (who will take the same committeeexam) aged between 19 and 23 years were included. The first balance measurements and saliva samples were taken 40 daysbefore the committee exam, and this period was acknowledged as the relaxed period. The same students were consideredfor balance measurements again on the day of committee exam; saliva samples were collected, and cortisol concentrationwas determined. This period was acknowledged as the stressful period. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was givento the participants in their relaxed and stressful periods. Dynamic balance scores were measured with Star Excursion BalanceTest (SEBT). Static balance scores were measured with One Leg Standing Balance Test (OLSBT).RESULTS: The mean cortisol level was found to increase approximately 9 times in stressful periods compared with that inrelaxed periods. STAI, which shows state anxiety, showed an increase supporting this increase. In stressful periods, dynamicbalance scores showed obvious decrease in all directions. In addition, in stressful periods, an obvious decrease was observedin static balance scores compared with those in relaxed periods.CONCLUSION: This study showed that stress negatively affected dynamic and static balance, even for short periods oftime. We believe that our study will form a positive source and basis when correlated with long terms stress and balancemeasurements.