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The Effect of Exercise on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis

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Endocrinology of Physical Activity and Sport

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

There is growing evidence linking physical activity with stress and depression. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a major modulator of such anxiogenic and depressive behaviors. The aim of the present chapter is to review the current state of knowledge on how different types of physical activities performed by distinct groups of individuals, at determined intensities and volumes, influence the activation of the HPA axis. Animal and human studies will respectively be used to clarify the mechanistic and clinical aspects through which exercise influences the HPA axis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise Science, Département des Sciences de l’activité Physique, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal, QC, Canada

    David H. St-Pierre

  2. Quebec Heart and Lung Institute Research Center, Laval University Obesity Research Chair, Québec, QC, Canada

    Denis Richard

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  1. David H. St-Pierre
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  2. Denis Richard
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Correspondence to David H. St-Pierre .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise & Sport Science, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Anthony C. Hackney

  2. Heidi Rothberg Sport Medicine Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Naama W. Constantini

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St-Pierre, D.H., Richard, D. (2020). The Effect of Exercise on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis. In: Hackney, A., Constantini, N. (eds) Endocrinology of Physical Activity and Sport. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33376-8_3

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