[An influence of mental stress, related to parachute jumping, on ACTH and cortizol hormones concentration in blood serum].

AIM: The purpose of this research was to estimate an influence of parachute jumps on the level of ACTH and cortizol hormones among professional soldiers from air-borne forces.
METHODS: The investigation was carried out on 46 professional soldiers from 16 Air-Borne Battalion, patients of the outpatient department--SPZOZ JW. 4495, men at 20 to 45 age, healthy--admitted to parachute jumping in air-borne forces. They were divided into groups according to their knowledge and an experience in parachuting. Venous blood samples were taken to examine the level of ACTH and cortizol hormones three times during experiment: on a free day, day of parachute jumping and 24hrs after jump. Additionally in order to estimate the level of nervous tension and mental stress, in every stage of the experiment, personal questionnaires in accordance with STAI were carried out.
RESULTS: The results show the influence of psychological stress related to parachute jumps on the level of ACTH and cortizol hormones depending on experience in parachuting.