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Does Aerobic Exercise Reduce Stress Responses?

  • Chapter
Individual Differences in Cardiovascular Response to Stress

Part of the book series: Perspectives on Individual Differences ((PIDF))

Abstract

Physical exercise has become increasingly popular as a leisure-time activity, in part due to its potential health benefits. In particular, physical activity has been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease (Leon, Connett, Jacobs, & Rauramma, 1987; Paffenbarger, Hyde, Irving, & Steinmetz, 1984). The cardioprotective effects of exercise may be due to a reduction in cardiac risk factors, such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension (Dufaux, Assmann, & Holl-mann, 1982; Martin, Dubbert, & Cushman, 1990; Paulev, Jordal, Kristenen, & Ladefoged, 1984; Vu Tran & Weltman, 1985). In addition, exercise may reduce cardiovascular risk by attenuating cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses to psychosocial Stressors. It has been shown that improved aerobic fitness is associated with altered cardiovascular and sympathoadrenal functioning. Specifically, decreased heart rate at rest and during exercise, as well as decreased plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine during exercise, result from aerobic training (Blomqvist & Saltin, 1983). It is believed that these cardiovascular and hormonal changes are related to decreased sympathetic activity and increased vagal tone following aerobic training (Astrand & Rodahl, 1986). In addition to altering physiologic activity at rest and during physical work (i.e., exercise), it is hypothesized that exercise also may modulate cardiovascular responses to psychological stress.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA

    Roger B. Fillingim

  2. Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA

    James A. Blumenthal

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  1. Roger B. Fillingim
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  2. James A. Blumenthal
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7175, USA

    J. Rick Turner , Andrew Sherwood  & Kathleen C. Light ,  & 

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Fillingim, R.B., Blumenthal, J.A. (1992). Does Aerobic Exercise Reduce Stress Responses?. In: Turner, J.R., Sherwood, A., Light, K.C. (eds) Individual Differences in Cardiovascular Response to Stress. Perspectives on Individual Differences. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0697-7_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0697-7_11

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