The effects of acute aerobic exercise on stressor-evoked physiological and psychological responses

Psychological stress is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Previous research has suggested that acute exercise may reduce cardiovascular reactivity to acute psychological stress. However, studies examining the effects of acute exercise on stressor-evoked cardiovascular and psychological responses to stress are somewhat limited. The aim of the present study was to examine whether a 10-min bout of aerobic exercise at 70 % VO_2max attenuated stressor-evoked physiological and psychological responses. Forty participants (20 female, 20 male; age: Mean = 19.95; SD = 1.93 years) completed a randomized, counterbalanced crossover protocol involving two stress sessions: (1) stress only and (2) stress after exercise. Cardiovascular (SBP, DBP, HR) and metabolic (VO₂) responses were assessed at rest and during a validated acute psychological stress task and psychological responses (cognitive and somatic anxiety intensity and interpretation; stress intensity) were assessed immediately after the stress task. There were significant session × time effects for blood pressure and heart rate. Stressor-evoked blood pressure and heart rate were significantly lower in the stress after exercise session compared to the stress only session. No session effects were observed for VO₂. Participants reported experiencing significantly lower somatic anxiety and higher stress intensity in the stress after exercise session compared to the stress only session. Brief aerobic exercise may be beneficial in reducing stressor-evoked cardiovascular and somatic anxiety responses.