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Do Physical Activity and Personality Matter for Hair Cortisol Concentration and Self-Reported Stress in Pregnancy? A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Dagmara Budnik-Przybylska

    (Department of Sport Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Radosław Laskowski

    (Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport; 80-336 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Paulina Pawlicka

    (Department of Cross-Cultural Psychology and Psychology of Gender, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Paulina Anikiej-Wiczenbach

    (Psychological Counseling for Rare Genetic Diseases Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Ariadna Łada-Maśko

    (Department of Developmental Psychology and Psychopathology, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Anna Szumilewicz

    (Department of Fitness, Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Franciszek Makurat

    (Department of Sport Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Jacek Przybylski

    (Department of Sport Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Hideaki Soya

    (Sports Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 305-8574 Tsukuba, Japan)

  • Maria Kaźmierczak

    (Department of Family Studies and Quality of Life, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland)

Abstract

Background: Physical activity reduces psychosocial stress in pregnant women. Stress levels might be self-reported (psychosocial) or measured with biomarkers, one of which is hair cortisol concentration (HCC). Additionally, personality has been associated with stress and physical activity. Methods: The first aim of our study was to explore the differences in self-reported stress assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and in HCC with regard to physical activity level in pregnant (N = 29) and non-pregnant (N = 21) women. The second aim was to analyze the correlations among perceived stress, HCC, frequency of exercise and personality in the two groups separately. Results: There was a significant difference in frequency of exercise and self-reported stress between the two groups, with a lower level in pregnant women, but no differences in HCC and in personality were found. In the group of pregnant women, there was a significant negative correlation between HCC and frequency of exercise sessions, with the latter correlating positively with openness to experience. In the group of non-pregnant women, perceived stress negatively correlated with extraversion, agreeableness and emotional stability. HCC correlated negatively with conscientiousness. Conclusions: Our findings indicate the importance of physical activity programs dedicated to pregnant women for their life quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Dagmara Budnik-Przybylska & Radosław Laskowski & Paulina Pawlicka & Paulina Anikiej-Wiczenbach & Ariadna Łada-Maśko & Anna Szumilewicz & Franciszek Makurat & Jacek Przybylski & Hideaki Soya & Maria Ka, 2020. "Do Physical Activity and Personality Matter for Hair Cortisol Concentration and Self-Reported Stress in Pregnancy? A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8050-:d:438552
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Angeles Garcia-Leon & Maria Isabel Peralta-Ramirez & Laura Arco-Garcia & Borja Romero-Gonzalez & Rafael A Caparros-Gonzalez & Noelia Saez-Sanz & Ana Maria Santos-Ruiz & Eva Montero-Lopez & Andre, 2018. "Hair cortisol concentrations in a Spanish sample of healthy adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Mi-Young Kim & Go-Un Kim & Hae-Kyoung Son, 2020. "Hair Cortisol Concentrations as a Biological Marker of Maternal Prenatal Stress: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-13, June.
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