NEED REVISIONS DUE IN 24 HOURS

Demonstration of background knowledge

Cortisol

FIRST NAME LAST NAME

The University of Central Arkansas

EXSS 6310 Tuesday 6:00 PM

Cortisol

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines cortisol as, “a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex upon stimulation by ACTH that mediates various metabolic processes (such as gluconeogenesis), has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, and whole levels in the blood may become elevated in response to physical or psychological stress.” The effects of cortisol are various in many ways and has effects on other hormones. Cortisol is a steroid hormone and is made in the cortex of the adrenal glands. Some of the effects of cortisol is controlling the body’s blood sugar levels and thus regulations metabolism. In the scenario the parent talks about the cortisol levels are highest in the morning, which is true the levels of cortisol vary throughout the day, and typically fall as the day continues, this process is called diurnal rhythm. Cortisol is a hormone that is linked to daily activity patterns. For example, cortisol release can change based on if people worked an overnight shift for example. The main regions of the body that effect cortisol levels would be the hypothalamus in the brain, the pituitary gland and adrenal gland. Another hormone that is directly connected to cortisol would be the adrenocorticotropic hormone with releases when cortisol levels are low in the blood. A condition called Cushing’s syndrome is when too much cortisol is produced in the body. This conditions can cause rapid weight gain, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, anxiety, depression and etc. The opposite of this would be too little cortisol would be a condition called Addison’s disease. The effects of too little cortisol would be fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss and mood changes. The Addison’s disease can be serious if not treated.

The function of cortisol can play a big part in training, but also a few other hormones can be very important to development of an athlete for the good or bad. Testosterone and growth hormones plays a big part to protein synthesis in the muscle. These hormones can accelerated growth of muscle, bone, and red blood cells, which help athletes build strength and develop athleticism. These hormones basically fall into a category of anabolic and catabolic hormones. Anabolic hormones, which are testosterone and growth hormones help muscle synthesis. Anabolic hormones promote immunity, energy, and fat burning. Growth hormones are released during the early stages of deep sleep. Catabolic hormones, which is cortisol promote muscle degradation. The brain perceives moderate exercise as a form of physical stress and help the fight or flight scenario. Poor diet, lack of sleep and mental stress increase cortisol release. The ultimate goal in a healthy strength program is improving anabolic hormone release while teaching the body to release less cortisol with each workout. But this also can backfire if you over training with causes the body to release cortisol because of stress with can lead to muscle breakdown, which makes it nearly impossible for athletes to build strength and athleticism.

The major things that can affect what time of the day you should practice would be temperature of the day. Usually earlier in the morning the temperature is lower and less changes of having a heat stroke typically if the practice is during the summer or spring. But vice versa it can make fire because if the practice is in the winter earlier could take part of being colder. Relating to cortisol and stress, typically practicing in the morning is better main because it is less mental stress on the mind. Typically if the practice was later it will be more things on an athletes mind. It could be school, kids, stress of responsibilities and etc. Medical issues could play a part in the time of day you should practice. This scenario has a lot of issues to be talking about in the presentation. For example you have to figure out the age group of the son. In my opinion, the mother should not be worried about the cortisol levels unless the son has medical issues, which it sounds like he does. We have to figure of what are the normal cortisol levels for an athlete his age and if he has any medical issues and the age group and diet of the athlete. I feel that the mother is doing a little too much if the son is health and overthinking in this situation.