Physical versus psychosocial stress: effects on hormonal, autonomic, and psychological parameters in healthy young men

AbstractAs a time-efficient training system, high intensity interval training (HIIT) is well known for several beneficial effects. However, the literature on the stress-generating effects of HIIT shows a research deficit. A standardized comparable stressor and different kinds of stress-parameters are needed for quantifying the results. The present study examined the hormonal, autonomic, and psychological stress outcomes of HIIT compared to a standardized psychosocial stressor and tested the cross-stressor-adaptation (CSA) hypothesis which implies a stress-buffering effect at a good fitness level. In a sample of 32 healthy young males (24.31 ± 3.35 years of age) stress was induced with a multiple Wingate (WG), as a HIIT all-out performance test, involving four 30 sec all-out exercise bouts. In addition, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), which consists of a mock job interview and mental arithmetic performance, was used for stress induction. Cortisol, heart rate variability (HRV), and stress-related quest...