Effect of muscular stretching on levels of blood cortisol of pregnant women

Abstract

Introduction: The physical, physiological and psychological changes that occur during pregnancy may trigger excessive stress in which blood cortisol is a marker of this change, then exercises ight be a strategy of control. Objective: To verify the influence of a muscle stretching protocol on blood cortisol levels and perception of stress in pregnant women. Methods: The sample was consisted of 18 pregnant women divided into two groups, experimental (GE) and control (GC). There were eight sessions twice a week, completing four weeks of strecthing. For data analysis the Perceived Stress Scale (EP) and blood tests for cortisol levels were used. Results: Comparing pre e post-intervention blood cortisol levels revealed GC (p=0.67) and GE (p=0.34). For EP it was found GC (p=0.35) and GE (0.34). Conclusion:.Muscle stretching protocol proposed in this study did not affect the blood levels of cortisol and even the perception of stress.