Cited by 235Stress Responses and CortisolRegulation of Appetite and ObesityPhysical Activity and Health

Central Mechanisms of HPA Axis Regulation by Voluntary Exercise

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Stranahan, Alexis M., Lee, Kim, Mattson, Mark P.·2008·NeuroMolecular Medicine

Abstract

Stress exerts complex effects on the brain and periphery, dependent on the temporal profile and intensity of the stressor. The consequences of a stressful event can also be determined by other characteristics of the stressor, such as whether it is predictable and controllable. While the traditional view has focused primarily on the negative effects of stress on a variety of somatic systems, emerging data support the idea that certain forms of stress can enhance cellular function. Here we review the current literature on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation by wheel running, a voluntary and controllable stressor with a distinct temporal profile. While running indeed activates a number of systems related to the stress response, other mechanisms exist to reduce the reactivity to this stressor, with possible crosstalk between running and other forms of stress.

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  • Rodents with higher levels of physical activity have been shown to display attenuated effects of psychological stressors on depression-like behaviour and cognition, enhanced neuroplasticity and an improved stress response.

    “Rodents with higher levels of physical activity have been shown to display attenuated effects of psychological stressors on depression-like behaviour and cognition 36, enhanced neuroplasticity 37 and an improved stress response 38.”
  • Physical exercise can modulate cortisol levels after a single session of exercise or after physical exercise training, possibly due to an upregulation of glucocorticoid receptor.

    “Physical exercise can modulate cortisol levels after a single session of exercise or after physical exercise training, 20 possibly due to an upregulation of glucocorticoid receptor.21”
  • Research in healthy or other clinical populations provides evidence that acute and regular exercise regulate or improve stress-related activation of the HPA axis, including a blunted cortisol response.

    “Additional research conducted in healthy or other clinical populations provides evidence that acute and regular exercise regulate or improve one's stress-related activation of the HPA axis, including a blunted cortisol response”

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Authors
Stranahan, A. M., Lee, K., & Mattson, M. P.
Affiliations
  • Princeton University (US)
  • National Institute on Aging (US)
Corresponding author
Mattson, Mark P.
Venue
NeuroMolecular Medicine
Published
2008-02-14
Volume
10
Issue
2
Pages
118-127
ISSN
  • 1535-1084 (ISSN-L)
  • 1559-1174
OpenAlex
W2090745528
Cited by
235
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 11
FWCI
0.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • NeuroMolecular Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Aging (F31AG024690)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
Keywords
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, voluntary exercise, wheel running, stress response, stress reactivity, stress crosstalk, stressor predictability, stressor intensity
MeSH terms
Animals, Exercise Therapy, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Motor Activity, Neuronal Plasticity, Physical Conditioning, Animal, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Sex Characteristics, Stress, Psychological, Volition

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