Exercise and circulating cortisol levels: the intensity threshold effect
Abstract
This study examined the influence of exercise intensity upon the cortisol response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Specifically, we examined exercise at intensities of 40, 60, and 80% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in an attempt to determine the intensity necessary to provoke an increase in circulating cortisol. Twelve active moderately trained men performed 30 min of exercise at intensities of 40, 60, and 80% of their VO2max, as well as a 30-min resting-control session involving no exercise on separate days. Confounding factors such as time of day--circadian rhythms, prior diet--activity patterns, psychological stress, and levels of exercise training were controlled. Cortisol and ACTH were assessed in blood collected immediately before (pre-) and after (post-) each experimental session. Statistical analysis involved repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey post-hoc testing. The percent change in cortisol from pre- to post-sampling at each session was: resting-control, 40, 60, and 80% sessions (mean+/-SD) =-6.6+/-3.5%, +5.7+/-11.0%, +39.9+/-11.8%, and +83.1+/-18.5%, respectively. The 60% and 80% intensity magnitude of change was significantly greater than in the other sessions, as well as from one to another. The ACTH responses mirrored those of cortisol, but only the 80% exercise provoked a significant (p<0.05) increase pre- to post-exercise. The calculated changes in plasma volume for the resting-control, 40%, 60%, and 80% sessions were: +2.2+/-3.0%, -9.9+/-5.0%, -15.6+/-3.5%, and -17.2+/-3.3%, respectively. Collectively, the cortisol findings support the view that moderate to high intensity exercise provokes increases in circulating cortisol levels. These increases seem due to a combination of hemoconcentration and HPA axis stimulus (ACTH). In contrast, low intensity exercise (40%) does not result in significant increases in cortisol levels, but, once corrections for plasma volume reduction occurred and circadian factors were examined, low intensity exercise actually resulted in a reduction in circulating cortisol levels.
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An a priori power analysis was used to detect a medium-to-large effect f = 0.30 with power preset at 0.8.
“An a priori power analysis, calculated using G*Power (Faul et al., 2007), was used.A MANCOVA model was used, with between-and within-group factors, to detect a medium-to-large effect, f = 0.30.This effect size was determined based on the calculated effect size in an exercise study examining sCort outcomes with similar experimental design (Hill et al., 2008).Power was preset at 0.8.”
From The effects of exercise intensity on the cortisol response to a subsequent acute psychosocial stressor. (2021) · cites this paper as Hill et al., 2008
Exercising at 80% capacity provokes a significant increase in ACTH levels pre- and post-exercise.
“Exercising at 80% capacity has been shown to provoke a significant increase in ACTH levels pre- and post-exercise [31].”
From Exercise-induced stress behavior, gut-microbiota-brain axis and diet: a systematic review for athletes (2016) · cites this paper as [31]
Exercising below 60% VO2max fails to cause a spike in serum cortisol.
“whereas exercising below this intensity fails to cause such a spike in serum cortisol [31].”
From Exercise-induced stress behavior, gut-microbiota-brain axis and diet: a systematic review for athletes (2016) · cites this paper as [31]
Recent intervention studies suggest that acute moderate- and vigorous-intensity, but not low-intensity, exercise result in increased levels of cortisol.
“Findings from more recent intervention studies suggest that acute moderate- and vigorous-intensity, but not low-intensity, exercise result in increased levels of cortisol”
From Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation (2019) · cites this paper as [114]
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- Authors
- Hill, E. E., Zack, E., Battaglini, C., Viru, M., Viru, A., & Hackney, A. C.
- Affiliations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- University of Tartu (EE)
- Corresponding author
- Hackney, A. C.
- Venue
- Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
- Published
- 2008-07
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 587-591
- ISSN
- 0391-4097 (ISSN-L)
- 1720-8386
- OpenAlex
- W1974167172
- Cited by
- 666
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 46 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 57 · 2022: 63 · 2021: 63 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 63 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 38 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 5.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Journal of Endocrinological Investigation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Keywords
- exercise intensity, cortisol, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, ACTH, VO2max, plasma volume, hemoconcentration, circadian rhythm, trained men, stress response
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Adult, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Male, Physical Endurance, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Surveys and Questionnaires, Random Allocation, Exercise, Young Adult
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