Eight weeks of high-intensity interval training versus stretching do not change the psychoneuroendocrine response to a social stress test in emotionally impulsive humans

Purpose Research supports physical activity as a method to heighten stress resistance and resilience through positive metabolic alterations mostly affecting the neuroendocrine system. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proposed as a highly effective time-saving method to induce those c...

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Published in:	European journal of applied physiology Vol. 124; no. 10; pp. 2893 - 2908
Main Authors:	Javelle, F., Bloch, W., Borges, U., Burberg, T., Collins, B., Gunasekara, N., Hosang, T. J., Jacobsen, T., Laborde, S., Löw, A., Schenk, A., Schlagheck, M. L., Schoser, D., Vogel, A., Walzik, D., Zimmer, P.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-10-2024 Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:	Biomedical and Life Sciences Biomedicine Cardiorespiratory fitness EEG EKG Emotions Exercise Human Physiology Interval training Neuroendocrine system Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine Original Original Article Physical activity Physical fitness Psychology Saliva Self-efficacy Social interactions Sports Medicine Stress response Impulsivity Cortisol Exercise EEG Stress TSST
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Summary:	Purpose Research supports physical activity as a method to heighten stress resistance and resilience through positive metabolic alterations mostly affecting the neuroendocrine system. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proposed as a highly effective time-saving method to induce those changes. However, existing literature relies heavily on cross-sectional analyses, with few randomised controlled trials highlighting the necessity for more exercise interventions. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of HIIT versus an active control group on the stress response to an acute psychosocial stressor in emotionally impulsive humans (suggested as being strong stress responders). Methods The study protocol was registered online (DRKS00016589) before data collection. Sedentary, emotionally impulsive adults (30.69 ± 8.20 y) were recruited for a supervised intervention of 8 weeks and randomly allocated to either a HIIT ( n = 25) or a stretching group ( n = 19, acting as active controls). Participants were submitted to a test battery, including saliva samples, questionnaires (self-efficacy- and perceived stress-related), visual analogue scales (physical exercise- and stress-related), and resting electroencephalography and electrocardiography assessing their reaction to an acute psychological stressor (Trier Social Stress Test) before and after the exercise intervention. Results HIIT increased aerobic fitness in all participants, whereas stretching did not. Participants from the HIIT group reported perceiving exercising more intensively than those from the active control group ( ƞ p 2 = 0.108, p = 0.038). No further group differences were detected. Both interventions largely increased levels of joy post-TSST ( ƞ p 2 = 0.209, p = 0.003) whilst decreasing tension ( ƞ p 2 = 0.262, p < 0.001) and worries ( ƞ p 2 = 0.113, p = 0.037). Finally, both interventions largely increased perceived levels of general self-efficacy ( ƞ p 2 = 0.120, p = 0.029). Conclusion This study suggests that 8 weeks of HIIT does not change the psychoneuroendocrine response to an acute psychological stress test compared to an active control group in emotionally impulsive humans. Further replications of supervised exercise studies highly powered with active and passive controls are warranted.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Undefined-3 Communicated by Lori Ann Vallis.
ISSN:	1439-6319 1439-6327 1439-6327
DOI:	10.1007/s00421-024-05471-w