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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-02-2016 | Original Article

Does a 20-week aerobic exercise training programme increase our capabilities to buffer real-life stressors? A randomized, controlled trial using ambulatory assessment

Authors: Birte von Haaren, Joerg Ottenbacher, Julia Muenz, Rainer Neumann, Klaus Boes, Ulrich Ebner-Priemer

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 2/2016

Abstract

Purpose

The cross-stressor adaptation hypothesis suggests that regular exercise leads to adaptations in the stress response systems that induce decreased physiological responses to psychological stressors. Even though an exercise intervention to buffer the detrimental effects of psychological stressors on health might be of utmost importance, empirical evidence is mixed. This may be explained by the use of cross-sectional designs and non-personally relevant stressors. Using a randomized controlled trial, we hypothesized that a 20-week aerobic exercise training does reduce physiological stress responses to psychological real-life stressors in sedentary students.

Methods

Sixty-one students were randomized to either a control group or an exercise training group. The academic examination period (end of the semester) served as a real-life stressor. We used ambulatory assessment methods to assess physiological stress reactivity of the autonomic nervous system (heart rate variability: LF/HF, RMSSD), physical activity and perceived stress during 2 days of everyday life and multilevel models for data analyses. Aerobic capacity (VO₂max) was assessed pre- and post-intervention via cardiopulmonary exercise testing to analyze the effectiveness of the intervention.

Results

During real-life stressors, the exercise training group showed significantly reduced LF/HF (β = −0.15, t = −2.59, p = .01) and increased RMSSD (β = 0.15, t = 2.34, p = .02) compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Using a randomized controlled trial and a real-life stressor, we could show that exercise appears to be a useful preventive strategy to buffer the effects of stress on the autonomic nervous system, which might result into detrimental health outcomes.

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Title: Does a 20-week aerobic exercise training programme increase our capabilities to buffer real-life stressors? A randomized, controlled trial using ambulatory assessment
Authors: Birte von Haaren
Joerg Ottenbacher
Julia Muenz
Rainer Neumann
Klaus Boes
Ulrich Ebner-Priemer
Publication date: 01-02-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3284-8

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Does a 20-week aerobic exercise training programme increase our capabilities to buffer real-life stressors? A randomized, controlled trial using ambulatory assessment

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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