IL-6 and Cortisol Responses to Cycling Exercise

This study aimed to investigate salivary interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cortisol responses following short-term and long-term cycling exercise in team athletes with different cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Participants completed a Wingate anaerobic cycling test and a YMCA submaximal cycling test in a randomized crossover design separated by a seven-day washout period. Saliva samples were collected before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise to determine IL-6 and cortisol concentrations. The study also examined whether cardiorespiratory fitness level influenced the magnitude of these physiological responses.