The effects of exercise training on HPA-axis reactivity and autonomic response to acute stress – a randomized controlled study

The aim of the present trial was to study the effects of a six-month aerobic exercise intervention on the physiological response to acute laboratory stress. A two-armed RCT including untrained but healthy individuals aged 20-50 years was conducted. Assessments included a peak oxygen uptake test and a psychosocial stress test (the Trier Social Stress Test). A total of 88 participants went through both baseline and follow-up measures (48 in the intervention group and 40 in the control group) with an even distribution of women and men (20/28 in the intervention group and 18/22 in the control group, respectively). Outcome measures were adrenocorticotrophic hormone, cortisol, systolic- and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate responses to acute psychosocial stress. Outcome measures: adrenocorticotrophic hormone, cortisol, systolic- and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate responses to acute psychosocial stress.