Effect of Aerobic Fitness on Cortisol Response and HPA-Axis Reactivity at Different Aerobic Exercise Intensities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i2.305Abstract
Cortisol is a hormone typically associated with the body’s reaction to a stressor. As exercise intensity increases, the HPA-axis reacts to the negative net energy demand by releasing cortisol to increase the availability of energy substrates to supply the working muscles and organs. This evidence-based review assesses multiple positive and negative feedback mechanisms associated with the HPA-axis to explain its reactivity to aerobic exercise at different intensities where a marked increase in salivary cortisol is observed at exercise intensities above 60% of one’s heart rate reserve. The review also explains different mechanisms as to how an increase in maximal aerobic fitness can influence the salivary cortisol levels during exercise. Recommendations for future studies in this area on how to design a study to mitigate confounding variables are also discussed.
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