Do exercise and fitness buffer against stress among Swiss police and emergency response service officers?

Gerber, Markus; Kellmann, Michael; Hartmann, Tim; Pühse, Uwe

doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.02.004

Cited by 73 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Prospective studies showed that higher self-reported exercise levels buffered the negative effects of stressful life events and chronic stress experiences on mental health (Brown & Siegel, 1988;Lindwall et al, 2014). In particular, this stress-buffering effect was explained by moderate exercise, as compared to vigorous exercise (Gerber et al, 2010). Exercise intervention studies confirm this notion of physical fitness buffering individuals from stress responses (Klaperski et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Physical activity buffers fatigue only under low chronic stress

Strahler

Doerr

Ditzen

et al. 2016

Stress

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Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported complaints in the general population. As physical activity (PA) has been shown to have beneficial effects, we hypothesized that everyday life PA improves fatigue. Thirty-three healthy students (21 women, 22.8 ± 3.3 years, 21.7 ± 2.3 kg/m(2)) completed two ambulatory assessment periods. During five days at the beginning of the semester (control condition) and five days during final examination preparation (examination condition), participants repeatedly reported on general fatigue (awakening, 10 am, 2 pm, 6 pm and 9 pm) by means of an electronic diary, collected saliva samples for the assessment of cortisol and α-amylase immediately after providing information on fatigue and wore a triaxial accelerometer to continuously record PA. Self-perceived chronic stress was assessed as a moderator. Using hierarchical linear modeling, including PA, condition (control vs. examination), sex and chronic stress as predictors, PA level during the 15 min prior to data entry did not predict momentary fatigue level. Furthermore, there was no effect of condition. However, a significant cross-level interaction of perceived chronic stress with PA was observed. In fact, the (negative) relationship between PA and fatigue was stronger in those participants with less chronic stress. Neither cortisol nor α-amylase was significantly related to physical activity or fatigue. Our study showed an immediate short-term buffering effect of everyday life PA on general fatigue, but only when experiencing lower chronic stress. There seems to be no short-term benefit of PA in the face of higher chronic stress. These findings highlight the importance of considering chronic stress when evaluating the effectiveness of PA interventions in different target populations, in particular among chronically stressed and fatigued subjects.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Physical activity buffers fatigue only under low chronic stress

Strahler

Doerr

Ditzen

et al. 2016

Stress

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“…From a physiological point of view, we know that MVPA enhances fitness levels, which in turn regulate physiological stress responses, such as reduced secretion of hormones and lowered blood pressure. 10 From a psychological perspective, MVPA has been linked to reduced arousal and mood enhancement through cognitive distraction and biochemical changes, and to positive health behaviors during periods of high stress (e.g., a lower likelihood to smoke and eat unhealthily). 11 Additionally, participation in MVPA tends to increase time spent outdoors, as well as the frequency and quality of social interactions and interpersonal relationships.…”

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confidence: 99%

Impact of Physical Activity on Psychological Distress: A Prospective Analysis of an Australian National Sample

Perales

Pozo-Cruz

2014

Am J Public Health

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Objectives. We analyzed the individual-level associations between participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and psychological distress levels using a large, nationally representative, longitudinal sample and multivariable panel regression models. Methods. We used 3 waves of panel data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, consisting of 34 000 observations from 17 000 individuals and covering 2007, 2009, and 2011. We used fixed-effects panel regression models accounting for observable and unobservable confounders to examine the relationships between the weekly frequency of MVPA and summary measures of psychological distress based on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Results. We found substantial and highly statistically significant associations between the frequency of MVPA and different indicators of psychological distress. Frequent participation in MVPA reduces psychological distress and decreases the likelihood of falling into a high-risk category. Conclusions. Our findings underscore the importance of placing physical activity at the core of health promotion initiatives aimed at preventing and remedying psychological discomfort.

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“…(1) Does exercise improve psychological functioning, measured by symptoms of depression [25-27], hypochondria [33], perceived stress [29, 30, 32], and life satisfaction [34, 35] in aSAH patients? Do possible changes in these domains differ from any changes experienced by meningioma patients and healthy controls?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Twelve-Week Moderate Exercise Programme Improved Symptoms of Depression, Insomnia, and Verbal Learning in Post-Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Patients: A Comparison with Meningioma Patients and Healthy Controls

et al. 2017

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Objectives: Deficits in psychological functioning, cognitive functioning, and sleep are frequently experienced by individuals who have survived aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). Exercise has been shown to improve these domains; to date, it has never been explored in patients following aSAH. The aim of this exploratory study is to compare the effects of an exercise programme in this population with another patient group, and a group of healthy controls. Methods: The present study explored the effects of 12 weeks of moderate aerobic exercise training on 15 aSAH patients, 16 meningioma patients, and 17 healthy controls. Data on symptoms of depression, hypochondria, perceived stress, satisfaction with life, verbal learning and memory, and subjective and objective sleep, were gathered at baseline, following intervention, and at 6-month follow-up. Results: aSAH patients and meningioma patients had decreased symptoms of depression and insomnia at follow-up. While perceived stress decreased in the meningioma group, in aSAH patients it increased. Total learning performance increased in all three groups. Conclusions: An exercise programme had a positive effect on symptoms of depression, insomnia, and verbal learning in patients following aSAH. No positive changes in other domains were observed. This may be due to the cautious approach taken with regard to exercise intensity.

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Do exercise and fitness buffer against stress among Swiss police and emergency response service officers?

Cited by 73 publications

References 43 publications

Physical activity buffers fatigue only under low chronic stress

Physical activity buffers fatigue only under low chronic stress

Impact of Physical Activity on Psychological Distress: A Prospective Analysis of an Australian National Sample

A Twelve-Week Moderate Exercise Programme Improved Symptoms of Depression, Insomnia, and Verbal Learning in Post-Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Patients: A Comparison with Meningioma Patients and Healthy Controls

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