Some specific features of exercise stress in athletes

Stress factors which can elicit several psychoemotional, neuromotor and cardiovascular reactions in athletes before or during training and competition are discussed. The authors' data concern firstly the significance of ACTH depletion. Exploration of the neuromotor system, the flicker test, evaluation of the urinary excretion of amine metabolites and several types of questionnaires (related to stress, anxiety and coronary risk factors) in a group of 35 athletes have outlined their psychophysiological reactions and behaviour. The necessity to prevent and manage distress phenomena found in 20 subjects is considered.