The Effects of Physical Exercise on Saliva Composition: A Comprehensive Review

• Published in: Dentistry journal Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 7
• Main Authors: Ntovas, Panagiotis, Loumprinis, Nikolaos, Maniatakos, Panagiotis, Margaritidi, Loukia, Rahiotis, Christos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 05-01-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Athletes; Bacteria; Catecholamines; Composition; Electrolytes; Enzymes; Exercise; Exocrine glands; Gram-positive bacteria; Hormones; Hypoxia; Immunoglobulins; Nervous system; oral health; Physical exercise; Physical fitness; Physical training; Proteins; Review; Saliva; sports dentistry; sports medicine; Stress; Training; Uric acid; saliva; sports dentistry; oral health; sports medicine; physical exercise
• ISSN: 2304-6767; 2304-6767
• DOI: 10.3390/dj10010007

Saliva consists of organic and inorganic constituents. During exercise, analysis of the saliva can provide valuable information regarding training stress, adaptation and exercise performance. The objective of the present article was to review the effect of physical exercise on saliva composition. The shift in the composition of the saliva, during and after a workout, reflects the benefits of exercise, its potential risks and the capability of the saliva to serve as a health indicator. The type and the frequency of training, the physical condition and the athletes' general health influence the hormones, immunoglobulins and saliva enzymes. The correlation between saliva and physical exercise has to be further investigated and the available knowledge to be applied for the benefit of the athletes during sports activities.