MEDITATION OR MEDICATION: COMPARING MEDITATION TO PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE IN THE REDUCTION OF SALIVARY CORTISOL IN COLLEGIATE TENNIS PLAYERS POST EXERCISE

Background: Cortisol is increased in the body in response to the reception of stress input, such as exercise or an emotional event. When this occurs, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis directs the adrenal cortex to release cortisol, thus raising cortisol levels.1 Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a glycerophospholipid made in the body that is a part of the cell membrane.2,3 PS reduces cortisol levels in the body.3 Meditation is a “consistent self-care practice…that allows for developing loving awareness of current thoughts and feelings.”4(p.37) Sadimi et al 4 used mindfulness meditation and found cortisol reductions were high. Meditation (MED) has not been compared to PS in reducing cortisol. Method: This study compared the effect of MED to the effects of PS on cortisol levels, perceived stress (PSS), and heart rate variability (HRV). This study enrolled voluntarily tennis players at a Division 3 school to study the two groups – PS and MED - and used the athletes as their own controls. In part one, athletes’ salivary cortisol, PSS, and HRV were measured before and after aerobic exercise to establish the control. In part two athletes were divided into two groups. Group one meditated after exercise for three weeks. Group two took PS, after exercising, for three weeks. In part three athletes’ salivary cortisol, PSS, and HRV were measured before aerobic exercise and after aerobic exercise - plus dosing with PS or MED. Results: The measures were compared statistically and found to be equal in reducing cortisol, insignificant in perceived stress, and MED was better at increasing HRV than PS. Conclusion: This study’s protocol could be used in future studies, comparing MED to other supplements, with larger groups and different athletic seasons, in studying muscle protein breakdown and pain, and in assisting athletes in making supplementation decisions.