Effect of Exercise on Salivary pH, Amylase, Mucin, and Total Protein Concentration of Unstimulated Whole Saliva in Pakistani Cohort

Objective: To assess the effects of physical exercise on salivary pH, amylase, mucin, and total protein concentration. Material and Methods: Saliva samples were collected from 34 participants (21 males, 13 females) at four time points: rest (control), moderate-intensity exercise, high-intensity exercise, and recovery (post-30 min rest). Salivary pH was measured using a pH meter, while amylase, mucin, and total protein concentrations were analyzed using ELISA. Results: Salivary pH remained stable throughout. Amylase levels significantly increased (p<0.05) post-moderate (males: 85.66 ± 2.79 units/mL; females: 85.46 ± 2.36 units/mL) and high-intensity exercise (males: 104.42 ± 1.91 units/mL; females: 103.69 ± 2.05 units/mL), declining during recovery. Mucin levels also rose significantly (p<0.05) post-moderate (males: 3.99 ± 0.79 mg/mL; females: 3.95 ± 0.73 mg/mL) and high-intensity exercise (males: 4.57 ± 0.68 mg/mL; females: 4.52 ± 1.07 mg/mL), then decreased in recovery. Total protein concentration followed a similar trend, increasing post-moderate (males: 2.80 ± 0.62 mg/mL; females: 3.95 ± 0.73 mg/mL) and high-intensity exercise (males: 3.94 ± 1.04 mg/mL; females: 3.63 ± 0.59 mg/mL), then declining during recovery. Conclusion: Moderate and high-intensity exercise significantly increased salivary amylase, mucin, and total protein levels, while salivary pH remained unaffected.