Abstract
[Purpose] This research work was performed to examine whether different levels of
physical activity and environmental and social factors are associated with changes in
adrenal hormones as markers of adrenal fatigue in Saudi adult volunteers. [Subjects and
Methods] A total of 160 Saudi adults aged 15–22 years were included in this study. The
adrenal fatigue score, sociodemographic attributes, and the level of physical activity
were evaluated via pre-validated internet-based questionnaire surveys. Adrenal hormones
such as ACTH and cortisol were measured using immunoassay techniques. [Results]
Significant increases in the levels of ACTH and cortisol biomarkers were found in the
participants with moderate to severe fatigue scores, poor environmental factors, and low
physical activity. However, in physically active participants, significant decreases in
ACTH and cortisol levels were found with remarkable improvement in adrenal fatigue status.
The decrement in adrenal hormonal levels positively correlated (r= 0.976) with the
improvement in adrenal fatigue status in the physically active participants. [Conclusion]
Our results suggest that the level of physical activity and environmental and social
factors differentially influence the adrenal fatigue status via changes in the levels of
adrenal hormones. Also, ACTH and cortisol biomarkers may be useful as markers measuring
the severity of adrenal fatigue.