Markus Gerber1, Sebastian Ludyga2, Manuel Mücke2, Flora Colledge2, Serge Brand3, Uwe Pühse2. 1. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: markus.gerber@unibas.ch. 2. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. 3. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The pathways by which physical activity impacts on participants' health are still not fully understood. The purpose of the present study was to go beyond existing research by combining methods from survey-based and experimental stress research, and by examining whether the potential of vigorous physical activity (VPA) to attenuate physiological and psychological stress responses is moderated by participants' subjective stress perception. METHODS: The sample consisted of 42 undergraduate students (M=21.2±2.2 years, 52% women). Participants self-reported their stress and wore an accelerometer device for seven consecutive days. To examine differences in the adrenocortical, autonomic and psychological stress reactivity, salivary free cortisol, heart rate, state anxiety, mood and calmness were assessed prior to, during and after the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). The cut-offs of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) were used to distinguish between students below/above current VPA recommendations. RESULTS: High levels of perceived stress combined with VPA levels below the ACSM's standards (<3×20min/week) were associated with an increased salivary cortisol response to the TSST (p<.05). No significant group differences existed for heart rate. However, students with high stress/low VPA experienced less favourable affect throughout the entire testing session (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that VPA has a high stress-protective potential among undergraduate students with high stress levels. Our findings highlight that promoting VPA in young adults seems to be a promising strategy to increase physiological and psychological stress resilience.
OBJECTIVES: The pathways by which physical activity impacts on participants' health are still not fully understood. The purpose of the present study was to go beyond existing research by combining methods from survey-based and experimental stress research, and by examining whether the potential of vigorous physical activity (VPA) to attenuate physiological and psychological stress responses is moderated by participants' subjective stress perception. METHODS: The sample consisted of 42 undergraduate students (M=21.2±2.2 years, 52% women). Participants self-reported their stress and wore an accelerometer device for seven consecutive days. To examine differences in the adrenocortical, autonomic and psychological stress reactivity, salivary free cortisol, heart rate, state anxiety, mood and calmness were assessed prior to, during and after the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). The cut-offs of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) were used to distinguish between students below/above current VPA recommendations. RESULTS: High levels of perceived stress combined with VPA levels below the ACSM's standards (<3×20min/week) were associated with an increased salivary cortisol response to the TSST (p<.05). No significant group differences existed for heart rate. However, students with high stress/low VPA experienced less favourable affect throughout the entire testing session (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that VPA has a high stress-protective potential among undergraduate students with high stress levels. Our findings highlight that promoting VPA in young adults seems to be a promising strategy to increase physiological and psychological stress resilience.
Authors: Shannon D Donofry; Chelsea M Stillman; Jamie L Hanson; Margaret Sheridan; Shufang Sun; Eric B Loucks; Kirk I Erickson Journal: Neurosci Biobehav Rev Date: 2021-10-05 Impact factor: 8.989
Authors: Markus Gerber; Christian Imboden; Johannes Beck; Serge Brand; Flora Colledge; Anne Eckert; Edith Holsboer-Trachsler; Uwe Pühse; Martin Hatzinger Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2020-05-11 Impact factor: 4.241
Authors: Christian Imboden; Markus Gerber; Johannes Beck; Anne Eckert; Uwe Pühse; Edith Holsboer-Trachsler; Martin Hatzinger Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2019-04-25 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Markus Gerber; Sandrine Isoard-Gautheur; René Schilling; Sebastian Ludyga; Serge Brand; Flora Colledge Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2018-11-02