Abstract:
Background: Psychological stress activates Hypothalamic- Pituitary- Adrenal axis (HPA) and Sympathoadrenal (SMA) axis”.
Exercise has stress buffering action and it improves HRV and normalizes the cortisol response to stress.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of moderate exercise in stabilizing autonomic and neuro-endocrine response to Psychological
stress”. Study design: Randomized experimental study.
Methodology: 100 MBBS students were engaged through DASS (Depression anxiety stress scale) proforma. They were divided
into two groups; stress and control. HRV and serum cortisol levels were obtained. Stressed group did regular moderate exercise
for 06 weeks. Independent t test was employed to see the difference in two parameters among the two groups. A p value of ≤
0.05 was taken as significant.
Results: After the intervention stressed group exhibited prominent decrease in LF/HF, LFnu, LFms2” and serum cortisol
(0.009,0.033,.027 and 0.007 respectively. HFnu was significantly improved post exercise (.004). Significant reduction in serum
cortisol was observed in stressed group after exercise (.007).
Conclusion: Exercise can be employed to buffer the effect of psychological stress as it normalizes HPA axis” and autonomic
response.
