Abstract
Exercise represents a potent physiological stimulus upon the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Two major factors modulate the HPA axis response to exercise: intensity and duration of exercise. Endurance training per se does not induce permanent hypercortisolism as endurance-trained subjects have similar biological markers of HPA axis activity in resting condition than healthy sedentary men. However, when the HPA axis is repeatedly challenged by exercise, humans demonstrate modifications in the activity of the HPA axis, suggesting an adaptive process to endurance-training. A great diversity of mechanisms is involved in this adaptation; these mechanisms act potentially at all levels in the cascade, leading to the biological effects of cortisol and decreased tissular sensitivity to glucocorticoids.
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Duclos, M., Tabarin, A. (2011). Exercise, Training, and the Hypothalamo–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis. In: Ghigo, E., Lanfranco, F., Strasburger, C. (eds) Hormone Use and Abuse by Athletes. Endocrine Updates, vol 29. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7014-5_2
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