Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2025

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Sedentary behaviour is associated with heightened cardiovascular, inflammatory and cortisol reactivity to acute
Aiden J Chauntry1, Nicolette C Bishop1, Mark Hamer2
1School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the University of Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
Background:
Sedentary behaviour is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Exaggerated psychobiological responses to acute psychological stress increase CVD risk. Sedentary behaviour is associated with characteristics that can predict large psychobiological stress response patterns (e.g., elevated resting blood pressure and systemic inflammation), but it is currently unknown whether sedentary behaviour and stress reactivity are directly linked. The aim of this study was to examine associations between device-assessed sedentary behaviour and measures of stress reactivity.
Methods:
Sixty-one healthy adults wore an activPAL (thigh) and ActiGraph (wrist) for seven days to measure habitual levels of sedentary behaviour (mean ± SD = 9.96 ± 1.48 h/day) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (mean ± SD = 101.82 ± 42.92 min/day). Participants then underwent stress reactivity testing, where beat-to-beat cardiovascular (e.g., blood pressure, total peripheral resistance), inflammatory (plasma interleukin-6, leukocytes) and salivary cortisol measurements were taken in response to an 8-minute socially evaluative Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test.
Results:
Higher volumes of daily sedentary behaviour were associated with larger stress responses for diastolic blood pressure (Β=1.264, 95%CI=0.537-1.990, p = .005), total peripheral resistance (Β=40.563, 95%CI=19.310-61.812, p < .001), interleukin-6 (Β=0.219, 95%CI=0.109-0.329, p < .001) and cortisol (Β=1.844, 95%CI=1.139-2.549, p < .001). These findings emerged independent of a priori determined covariates, including daily levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and adiposity.
Discussion:
Exaggerated stress reactivity is characteristic of high sedentary behaviour and could be a novel mechanism linking sedentary behaviour with CVD. Future work should examine the impact of reducing sedentary behaviour on measures of stress reactivity, as this may have clinical relevance for preventing CVD.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Physiological Foundation of Stress
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Psychological Responses to Stress

