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The stress-buffering effect of acute exercise: Evidence for HPA axis negative feedback
Abstract
According to the cross-stressor adaptation hypothesis, physically trained individuals show lower physiological and psychological responses to stressors other than exercise, e.g. psychosocial stress. Reduced stress reactivity may constitute a mechanism of action for the beneficial effects of exercise in maintaining mental health. With regard to neural and psychoneuroendocrine stress responses, the acute stress-buffering effects of exercise have not been investigated yet. A sample of highly trained (HT) and sedentary (SED) young men was randomized to either exercise on a treadmill at moderate intensity (60-70% VO2max; AER) for 30 min, or to perform 30 min of "placebo" exercise (PLAC). 90 min later, an fMRI experiment was conducted using an adapted version of the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST). The subjective and psychoneuroendocrine (cortisol and α-amylase) changes induced by the exercise intervention and the MIST were assessed, as well as neural activations during the MIST. Finally, associations between the different stress responses were analysed. Participants of the AER group showed a significantly reduced cortisol response to the MIST, which was inversely related to the previous exercise-induced α-amylase and cortisol fluctuations. With regard to the sustained BOLD signal, we found higher bilateral hippocampus (Hipp) activity and lower prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity in the AER group. Participants with a higher aerobic fitness showed lower cortisol responses to the MIST. As the Hipp and PFC are brain structures prominently involved in the regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, these findings indicate that the acute stress-buffering effect of exercise relies on negative feedback mechanisms. Positive affective changes after exercise appear as important moderators largely accounting for the effects related to physical fitness.
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“For example, in a study by Zschucke and colleagues, overall cortisol output was reduced following a mild cognitive challenge task when participants engaged in 30 min of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise (at 60-70% VO 2-peak) prior to the mental challenge compared to participants who did not engage in any exercise.(Zschucke et al., 2015).”
From The effects of exercise intensity on the cortisol response to a subsequent acute psychosocial stressor. (2021) · cites this paper as Zschucke et al., 2015
In the citing paper
“Three studies demonstrate that various modalities of acute exercise (e.g.outdoor walking, ergometer bicycling) can reduce the HPA-axis sCort response to various psychosocial stressor tasks (Wood et al., 2018;Wunsch et al., 2019;Zschucke et al., 2015).”
From The effects of exercise intensity on the cortisol response to a subsequent acute psychosocial stressor. (2021) · cites this paper as Zschucke et al., 2015
In the citing paper
“When prior studies have implemented an exercise protocol prior to a stressor, they have primarily used a binary model with an exercising and non-exercising group (Wood et al., 2018;Zschucke et al., 2015).”
From The effects of exercise intensity on the cortisol response to a subsequent acute psychosocial stressor. (2021) · cites this paper as Zschucke et al., 2015
In the citing paper
“In their work, highly trained and sedentary men were randomized to aerobic exercise (at 60-70% VO2-peak) or placebo exercise (light stretching) prior to a mild laboratory psychosocial stressor.”
From The effects of exercise intensity on the cortisol response to a subsequent acute psychosocial stressor. (2021) · cites this paper as Zschucke et al., 2015
In the citing paper
“Zschucke and colleagues (2015) were the first to posit that cross-stressor adaptation of acute exercise may occur as a result of glucocorticoid negative feedback.”
From The effects of exercise intensity on the cortisol response to a subsequent acute psychosocial stressor. (2021) · cites this paper as Zschucke et al., 2015
In the citing paper
“Men in the aerobic exercise condition showed smaller cortisol change scores from pre-to post-psychosocial stressor compared to the placebo exercise condition.”
From The effects of exercise intensity on the cortisol response to a subsequent acute psychosocial stressor. (2021) · cites this paper as Zschucke et al., 2015
In the citing paper
“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”
From Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation (2019) · cites this paper as [118]
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“On the other hand, some recent studies suggest that the physically more active individuals acquire more resistance and adaptation against not only the consequences of physical stresses, but also against the psychosocial stresses of the daily living [52].”
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“The HPA axis can be stimulated physiologically with exercises [11].”
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“Conversely, physical activity may increase hippocampal volume by enhancing neurogenesis, dendritogenesis, and synaptogenesis, yielding better cortisol regulation capacity (Li et al. 2019; Yau et al. 2011; Zschucke et al. 2015).”
The Immune System as a Biosensor of Health and Athletic Performance
Reitzner, S. M., & Brodin, P. (2026) · Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports · doi:10.1111/sms.70258 · Cited by 4
“In high-performance athletes, that can over time also result in higher stress resilience due to a blunting of the inducibility of the HPA-axis by non-exercise stressors [74].”
Ajibewa, T. A., Colangelo, L. A., Chirinos, D. A., Kershaw, K. N., Carnethon, M. R., & Allen, N. B. (2024) · Journal of the American Heart Association · doi:10.1161/jaha.124.038844 · Cited by 3
“44 45–47 Specifically, greater cardiorespiratory fitness resulting from regular physical activity engagement, provides resilience through physiological stress regulation (eg, lowered blood pressure) and psychologically by reducing affective reactivity to stressors and promoting positive affect.”
Yiğitalp, G., & Bürçün, R. (2025) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-025-02294-7 · Cited by 4
“It was stated that physical exercise can increase resilience by regulating the hypo-thalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis to buffer the effect of daily stress (Zschucke et al., 2015).”
Liu, T., Ran, H., Xu, T., Xia, X., & Xia, J. (2025) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000044026 · Cited by 3
“First, in terms of physiology, exercise can promote the expression of neurotransmitters [52] and neurotrophic factors, [53] regulate the activity of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal, [54] and inhibit oxidative stress, [55] thus intervening in anxiety, depression, and emotion in COPD patients.”
Askari, J., Kakhki, A. S., Taheri, H., & Yassini, S. M. (2017) · Open Journal of Medical Psychology · doi:10.4236/ojmp.2017.63016 · Cited by 3
Aerobic vs Resistance Exercise—An Endocrine Perspective
Bansal, N., Kotwal, N., & Kumar, S. (2020) · Journal of Medical Academics · doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10070-0057 · Cited by 3
Hyun, B. R., Yoon, Y. S., Yang, Y. J., Lee, E. S., Lee, J. H., Huh, Y., Jhung, C. H., Pang, D. D., & Kang, B. R. (2021) · Korean Journal of Family Practice · doi:10.21215/kjfp.2021.11.5.338 · Cited by 3
Yogeshwar, D., & Vipinnath, E. N. (2023) · International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences · doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20230862 · Cited by 4
Moore, S. M. (2019) · Scholarship & Creative Works - Digital UNC a service of University Libraries (University of Northern Colorado) · Cited by 3
Tackling Insomnia in Late Life
McCrae, C. S., Curtis, A. F., & Stearns, M. A. (2024) · Advances in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health · doi:10.1016/j.ypsc.2024.05.006 · Cited by 2
Therapeutic Effect of Exercise on Mental Health
Parlakyıldız, S. (2024) · Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry · doi:10.18863/pgy.1458867 · Cited by 2
Puhr, A., Waterink, W., & van Hooren, S. (2025) · The Arts in Psychotherapy · doi:10.1016/j.aip.2025.102272 · Cited by 2
Li, S., Zhang, L., Song, L., Fan, T., Li, Y., & Shen, Y. (2025) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s489061 · Cited by 2
“39,74 Second, EA has been shown to impair an individual’s ability to develop trusting and secure relationships, which increases the likelihood of depression.”
Gao, J., Xiang, J., Hou, Z., & Liu, H. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1597539 · Cited by 2
Terzioğlu, Z. A., & Çakır, S. G. (2025) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.70034 · Cited by 2
“Exercise balances cortisol levels by modulating the hypothalamic ‐ pituitary ‐ adrenal (HPA) axis, thus increasing stress tolerance and supporting vagal tone (Zschucke et al. 2015).”
Xu, B., Wang, M., Guangyi, L., & Sun, G. (2025) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2025.100745 · Cited by 3
Shi, C., Li, Z., Liu, C., Zhang, W., & Wang, P. (2026) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-026-04409-5 · Cited by 3
“From a psychophysiological perspective, physical exercise may be associated with stress adaptability by modulating hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis responses and increasing neuroplasticity [47].”
Hellgren, L., Lundqvist, A., Börsbo, B., Levi, R., & Samuelsson, K. (2019) · Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation · doi:10.4236/ojtr.2019.71002 · Cited by 2
Brupbacher, G., Schneiders, A., Schmidt‐Trucksäss, A., von Känel, R., & Straus, D. (2022) · Somnologie - Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin · doi:10.1007/s11818-022-00389-x · Cited by 2
Bonilla, Y. C. E., Bautista, J. C. T., Millán, J. M. V., González, D. E. G., & Delgado, J. C. S. (2024) · Retos · doi:10.47197/retos.v52.103408 · Cited by 2
Cortisol, cardiovascular risk, and anxiety in full-time workers in Cartagena, Colombia, 2023
Alayón, A. N., Arizal, N. O., Correa, M. N., Toro, J. L., & Rojas, F. H. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1491987 · Cited by 2
“Regular aerobic exercise has been associated with more adaptive cortisol secretion patterns and lower stress reactivity (48).”
Evaluating the Attitudes and Practices of Exercise Prescription Among Psychotherapists
Vasilj, I. (2018) · UKnowledge (University of Kentucky) · doi:10.13023/etd.2018.015 · Cited by 2
“…on a treadmill for 30 minutes at 60-70% VO2max showed reduced acute cortisol responses to physiological and psychological stress, higher bilateral hippocampus activity (HPA), and an increase regarding general positive mood in both sedentary and physically fit young males (Zschucke et al., 2015).”
BackgroundInfluentialA pilot study of metabolic fitness effects of weight-supported walking in women with obesity
Godwin, E. M., Uglialoro, A. D., Ali, A., Yearwood, L., Banerji, M. A., & Kral, J. G. (2019) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211529 · Cited by 2
The effect of regular aerobic activity on cortisol levels in female Wistar rats
Gashi, A. I., Azemi, A., Živković, V., Gontarev, S., & Gjorgovski, I. (2021) · Biomedical Research and Therapy · doi:10.15419/bmrat.v8i2.660 · Cited by 3
Qian, J., Tong, J. S., & Xu, R. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.883801 · Cited by 2
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Rao, N., Pahuja, H., & Narayan, E. J. (2024) · Preprints.org · doi:10.20944/preprints202406.0970.v1 · Cited by 1
Physical and Mental Disability in People with Diabetes
Hamasaki, H. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-40858-8_370-1 · Cited by 2
EL‐Awad, U., Hachenberger, J., Schneider, U., & Lemola, S. (2025) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2025.100700 · Cited by 1
An attempt at conceptualizing a multidimensional body-brain nature of stress reduction
Kosma, M. (2026) · Academia Mental Health and Well-Being · doi:10.20935/mhealthwellb8261 · Cited by 1
Wang, S., Zhang, M., Wutichat, S., Tanphanich, T., Li, H., & Zhang, X. (2026) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1794299 · Cited by 1
How Surfing Could be a Treatment for Mental Illness
Peck Bryan, D., & Lagopoulos, J. (2019) · Frontiers for Young Minds · doi:10.3389/frym.2019.00070 · Cited by 1
Childhood maltreatment predicts physical health in college students
Moore, S. M., Welsh, M. C., & Peterson, E. (2021) · Journal of American College Health · doi:10.1080/07448481.2021.1909047 · Cited by 1
Metadata
- Authors
- Zschucke, E., Renneberg, B., Dimeo, F., Wüstenberg, T., & Ströhle, A.
- Affiliations
- Constructor University (DE)
- Freie Universität Berlin (DE)
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Zschucke, Elisabeth
- Venue
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-01
- Volume
- 51
- Pages
- 414-425
- ISSN
- 0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2087854698
- Cited by
- 253
- References
- 66
- Citations by year
- 2026: 21 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 7
- FWCI
- 6.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- acute exercise, stress buffering, psychosocial stress, cortisol, alpha-amylase, cardiorespiratory fitness, Montreal Imaging Stress Task, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, mental health
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Physiological, Adult, Affect, Brain, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Physical Fitness, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Saliva, Stress, Psychological, Exercise, Feedback, Physiological, Young Adult, Functional Neuroimaging
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