We all know that exercise is good for us, but a new study shows that regular physical exercise also reduces physiological reactivity to psychosocial stress. That means that not only will exercise help improve our physical body and mind, but it will also help us better handle emotional stress.
Physical activity typically showed lower cortisol increase in well-trained individuals, lower cardiovascular reactivity, and quicker cardiovascular recovery to lab stressors when compared to less active individuals.
The study, from researchers in Austria and Germany, tested 3 groups of people. 1 group of 12 endurance athletes; a group of 10 resistance trained athletes; and a group of 12 healthy, but untrained men. They were exposed to a standardized stress test called the Trier Social Stress Test. The researchers tracked heart rate, free salivary cortisol levels, and mood.
Overall, the endurance group and the resistance group had lower heart rate levels than did the untrained men which indicates higher and healthier cardiac performance. Both trained groups also showed lower heart rate responses to psychosocial stress compared with the untrained group. There was no significant difference in the cortisol responses or mood responses to the stress test.
This is significant because previous studies have been done on endurance athletes, but not resistance trained athletes. Now the science shows that whether you’re a runner or a weight trainer, you’re going to handle stress much better than someone who doesn’t train at all.
The World Health Organization calls stress one of the greatest health risks of the 21st century. And with the onslaught of technology and smart phones over the past 2 decades, distractions are easier and easier to come by, which only fosters more stress. Of course, regular physical activity is a great way to prevent too much stress. In the study, researchers followed the three groups for one full year.
As a yoga teacher and endurance athlete, I get my fill of resistance training in yoga, I also do a regular HIIT bootcamp class, and plenty of cardio from my endurance events including triathlon, long distance mountain biking, and ultra marathons. I definitely feel like I handle stress pretty well, but I was never sure whether it was a chaotic upbringing or my exercise. Honestly, I’m sure it’s both. Regardless, I’m happy to see that more studies are proving that exercise is good.
So, if you have a lot so stress in your life, don’t take a pill, a drink, or eat too much, simply get outside and go for a run or get to the gym and burn off some calories and some stress at the same time. You’ll be happy you did. Of course, I’m always here to help if you need some direction. Send me a message @teddymcdonald on Instagram or Twitter.
Originally published on the author’s website.