Webb, H. E., Weldy, M. L., Fabianke, E. C., Orndorff, G. R., Kamimori, G. H., & Acevedo, E. O. (2003). Psychological stress during exercise: Cardiorespiratory and hormonal responses. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(5), Supplement abstract 131.

The cardiorespiratory responses of heart rate, ventilation, respiratory rate, oxygen consumption, and respiratory exchange ratio and the hormonal responses of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol to a combination of physical and psychological stresses were assessed. Ss (N = 9) participated in two exercise conditions: cycling at 60% VO2max with and without a psychological stress condition.

Significant interactions across time for cardiorespiratory factors between both stressed and non-stressed conditions were observed. Stress caused an elevation in norepinephrine and cortisol.

Implication. The combination of exercise and psychological stress elevates hormonal releasesd that have been linked with negative health consequences.

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