How does regular exercise affect stress physiology?

How does regular exercise affect stress physiology?

• A. Regular exercise raises resting heart rate and blood pressure.
• B. Regular exercise reduces cortisol response.
• C. Regular exercise decreases endorphin release.
• D. Regular exercise worsens mood.

Answer: (B)

Regular exercise tunes the body’s stress system, particularly the HPA axis that drives cortisol release. When a stressor hits, the HPA axis kicks in and cortisol rises to help mobilize energy. With consistent training, this system becomes more efficient and the cortisol response to the same stressor is smaller. That diminished cortisol reactivity is the key way regular exercise reduces the body’s physiological stress response, helping you feel less overwhelmed by stress and more resilient. Other statements don’t fit as well. Exercise generally lowers resting heart rate and blood pressure over time, not raises them. It also tends to increase endorphin release, contributing to better mood, not decrease it. And overall mood tends to improve with regular activity, not worsen.

Regular exercise tunes the body’s stress system, particularly the HPA axis that drives cortisol release. When a stressor hits, the HPA axis kicks in and cortisol rises to help mobilize energy. With consistent training, this system becomes more efficient and the cortisol response to the same stressor is smaller. That diminished cortisol reactivity is the key way regular exercise reduces the body’s physiological stress response, helping you feel less overwhelmed by stress and more resilient.

Other statements don’t fit as well. Exercise generally lowers resting heart rate and blood pressure over time, not raises them. It also tends to increase endorphin release, contributing to better mood, not decrease it. And overall mood tends to improve with regular activity, not worsen.