ExStressEffects of Exercise Intensity on Stress-Related Biological and Psychological Outcomes

This study aims to explore how physical exercise of different intensities affects people experiencing mild stress symptoms compared to healthy individuals. It involves 43 adults aged 20 to 40 years who have stress-related symptoms and another 43 healthy adults matched by age, sex, and fitness level. Understanding the influence of exercise on biological and psychological outcomes could potentially improve stress management and overall mental well-being. This study is important as it targets an area where exercise might help alleviate stress, offering an accessible and non-pharmacological intervention. Participants will undergo three different sessions, each a week apart: moderate-intensity cycling, vigorous-intensity cycling, and a session of seated rest. Before starting, participants will be tested for their maximum oxygen uptake to tailor the exercise intensity to their fitness levels. During each session, participants perform memory tasks before and after exercise, while researchers measure brain activity, blood flow, and take blood samples to assess various health markers. Additionally, mood and fatigue levels, heart rate, and blood pressure are monitored, along with sleep quality before and after the sessions. This comprehensive approach helps to understand the immediate effects of exercise on stress and health indicators in both stressed and healthy individuals.