Stress Adaptation and Exercise

Stress
Nonspecific response of the body to any demand placed on it. Stressors, stress producing factors It may be pleasant or unpleasant and induces different emotional or psychological responses while eliciting similar physiological reaction.

The Stress response

Eustress, positive stress; Distress, negative stress It elicits the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS; the syndrome of just getting sick)
Enlargement of the adrenal glands, sympathetic stimulation Fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite, gastric upset and other nonspecific complaints

General Adaptation Syndrome

Alarm Stage Stage of Resistance Stage of Exhaustion

Alarm Stage
 Initial stimulation by a stressor hypothalamic stimulation (release of CRH) pituitary stimulation (release of ACTH) adrenal glands release glucocorticoids (cortisol)  Sympathetic stimulation (fight-or-flight mechanism) release of catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine) vasoconstriction of the skin, GIT, kidneys; vasodilatation` of heart vessels and skeletal muscles increase in heart and respiratory rate; increase in blood pressure

Alarm Stage
Sympathetic stimulation (fight-or-flight mechanism) release of catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine) vasoconstriction of the skin, GIT, kidneys; vasodilatation` of heart vessels and skeletal muscles increase in heart and respiratory rate; increase in blood pressure

Stage of Resistance
Increase in blood sugar levels immune suppression due to circulating excess corticosteroids delayed healing

Stage of Exhaustion
Resistance to the stressors are depleted and death ultimately occurs

Local Adaptation Syndrome (LAS)

Local Adaptation Syndrome (LAS) Localized reaction to stress Similar to GAS but exhaustion lead to a generalized response
Ex. Inflammation

Physiologic Response to Stress

Neurologic Mechanisms Motor nervous system (voluntary) and Autonomic nervous system (involuntary) mediated via the sympathetic nervous system

Neurologic Mechanisms
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine Peripheral vasoconstriction (skin, viscera, kidneys) GI motility and secretion Vasodilatation of skeletal and cardiac muscles Bronchial dilatation Rate and force of cardiac contraction Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis by the liver

Endocrine Mechanism
Effects of Glucocorticoids More fuel is made available for energy via increase in gluconeogenesis, glucogenolysis, lipolysis and protein catabolism

Endocrine Mechanism
Suppresses the inflammatory response
Stabilizes lysosomal membrane which decreases release of proteolytic enzymes  Decreases capillary permeability Suppresses the immune system Blocks interleukin 1

Stress-Induced Disease
Cardiovascular disease Coronary artery disease ( Atheroscelrosis)
Hypercholesterolemia
high fat diet, stressful living conditions, personality and genetics

Angina
Emotional stress

Stress-Induced Disease
Immune Deficiency Excessive glucocorticoids Physiologically and psychologically stressful events precipitate a decrease in lymphocyte and leukocyte activity It is detrimental in certain conditions

Stress-Induced Disease
Gastrointestinal Diseases Stress ulcers due to gastric mucosal ischemia and acid secretion Duodenal ulceration (H. Pylori)

Stress-Induced Disease
Cancer Increase in the production of abnormal cells Inability of the body to destroy abnormal cells

Exercise
Physical exercise is essential to health It promotes cardiovascular and other systemic adaptaion to maintain physiologic function

Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Heart Rate (HR) Sympathetic stimulation of the autonomic nervous system Release of epinephrine and nor epinephrine

Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Heart rate increases (maximal heart rate) Influenced by age, gender, level of fitness, pre-existing diseases, altitude, type of exercise and true maximal exertion

Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Stoke Volume (SV) Amount of blood ejected from the ventricle per each heartbeat Factors responsible for SV are venous return, ventricular distensibility, ventricular contractility, systemic and pulmonary resistance Resting SV range from 60 to 100ml

Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Factors responsible for SV are venous return, ventricular distensibility, ventricular contractility, systemic and pulmonary resistance Resting SV range from 60 to 100ml

Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Cardiac Output (CO) Amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute CO = SV x HR in one minute  Resting CO is about 4 to 8 L/min Cardiac Reserve, ability to increase CO when needed

Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Blood Pressure (BP) BP = CO x systemic vascular resistance

Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Although peripheral resistance decreases during exercise there is a significant increase in the CO which lead to an increase in mean arterial pressure due to an increase in the systolic blood pressure Systolic blood pressure increase can range from 20 to 80 mm Hg

Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Blood Flow Increased blood flow to the skeletal and cardiac muscles Increased in nutrient, oxygen, carbon dioxide and other waste exchange between the circulation and muscles Increased skin temperature

Effects on the Respiratory System

Pulmonary ventilation increases with exercise Increase in the depth and frequency of respiration Increased respiratory reserve

Effects on the Endocrine System

Increased hormone secretion Increased metabolic rate

Effects on the Immune System

Moderate exercise boost functions of natural killer cells, T and B lymphocytes and macrophages May have a reverse effect

Effects on the Muscular System

Hypertrophy Increase contractile force Increase in power, strength and endurance

Long Term Adaptation to Exercise

Decrease in resting HR and Increased SV Cardiac muscle hypertrophy Increase respiratory reserve Increase muscle mass and cell size Efficient metabolism

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