The impact of exercise on hormones is related to autonomic reactivity to amental task

This study examined the effects of an acute physical stressor on salivary t estosterone (Tsal) and cortisol (Csal) and their relationship with the auto nomic responsiveness to a mental task in fit young men (n = 30). Salivary t estosterone (Tsal) and cortisol (Csal) levels were determined before and af ter a maximal bicycle exercise. Heart rate (HR) and skin conductance levels (SCL) were continuously recorded before, during, and after a Stroop task. Tsal and Csal levels diminished while HR and SCL increased in response to s tressors in all the sample. When subjects were distributed in function of t heir endocrine response to the physical stressor, high Tsal responders show ed higher HR reactivity than low responders, and high Csal responders showe d higher SCL reactivity and lower reaction time in the Stroop task. These r esults show that the influence of an acute physical stressor on hormones is associated with the autonomic responses to a mental task.