Why should vigorous exercise be avoided the day before saliva collection for cortisol (adrenal function)?
This is because hormone patterns can be altered significantly by vigorous aerobic workouts, like jogging, swimming, stair stepping and rollerblading. (This does not include light exercise, like walking the dog.) If you normally engage in strenuous exercise, skip a day before collecting your saliva. If you forget to skip a day and have already collected your saliva, you can rinse out the tube with hot water (no soap), let it air dry, and collect the next morning, at least 24 hours apart from exercise.
