Salivary Cortisol Production during the Ride Across America (RAAM): A Case Study and Exploratory Analysis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the variation in salivary cortisol during the Ride Across America. METHODS: A 51 year old elite endurance cyclist competed in the RAAM ride. Descriptives are provided in Salacinski et al. (2011, MSSE, vol 43, p S536). Saliva was collected with oral swabs throughout two different time periods: 21 awakening and before sleep samples at baseline (4 weeks before race) and 23 samples during the event and before/after periods of rest. Salivary cortisol was analyzed with a Salimetrics immuno-assay and a Biotek plate reader. RESULTS: The subject completed 6 days, 11 hours and 19 minutes of the race before discontinuing. His average speed, including rest stops, was 10.3 mph. His mean power was 199.5 W for days 1&2 and 124 W for days 4&5. The mean cortisol concentration for 7 baseline awakening samples was .71 mu g/dL (SD = .09) and before bed was .15 mu g/dL (SD = .07). Seven samples were discarded for possible blood and/or sports drink contamination, leaving 16 samples (awakening: M = .35 mu g/dL, SD = .23; during-race: M = .64 mu g/dL, SD =.16; before bed: M = .51 mu g/dL, SD = .05). Saliva pH increased from baseline (M = 7.14, SD = .74) to race time (M = 8.38, SD = .60), while 2.54 kg of fat mass was lost from pre to post race. CONCLUSION: The subject displayed a normal cortisol production rhythm at baseline; however, race values demonstrate a state of hyper-activation, catabolism, and dysregulation.