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The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the plasticity and development of the central nervous system. Thereby the protein synthesis is highly related to neuronal activity, and its signaling pathways are associated with several substances like, e.g. glucocorticoids, which seem to be able to activate BDNF-Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB). While there is evidence that acute physical stress can result in advantageous physiological outcomes like an enhanced BDNF level, outcome parameters in response to psychosocial stress are primarily focused on psychological parameters. The existing literature pointing on the impact of acute psychosocial stress on physiological parameters is controversial and differs depending on the species, the stressor used, and the study methodology. It was hypothesized that an acute standardized psychosocial stressor would increase the BDNF level and therefore show beneficial physiological outcome parameters through psychosocial stress. The serum BDNF levels of 32 healthy young males (

Both intense physical activity and potent psychosocial stressors increase blood lactate. Raising lactate levels by infusing the chemical can have an anxiogenic effect. Here, we compare the relationship between changes in lactate and anxiety levels resulting from two standardized stressors. We investigated the effects of the Multiple Wingate All-Out Performance Test (WG), a strong physical stressor, and the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a well-documented psychosocial stressor, in 32 healthy young men using a crossover design. Before and after each stressor, venous blood was analyzed for lactate levels and the State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was given. Both stressors raised both lactate and anxiety significantly above their baseline levels. While the rise in lactate was much higher for the WG than for the TSST, the rises in anxiety were nearly equal. Individual fitness did not influence the results for lactate or anxiety. No significant relation between lactate and anxiety changes were found. Thus, our results as well as the literature suggest that lactate is an important variable for understanding the impact of sport participation.

Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effects of an upper body-resistance training (UBR) and lower body-resistance training (LBR) on arterial stiffness (AS) and peripheral and central blood pressure (BP) of young recreationally active and normotensive women. 20 young women were separated into an UBR group (n = 10) and an LBR group (n = 10) performing four exercises of three sets and 12 repetitions with 70% of the One-repetition maximum. At rest (pre), as well as 1 (post1′), 10 (post10′), and 60 (post60′) min after the respective training, heart rate (HR), peripheral (pSysBP; pDiaBP), central blood pressure (cSysBP; cDiaBP), and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured. Resting values revealed no differences between the groups in any parameter. After the exercise HR increased in both groups, pSysBP increased after LBR and cSysBP increased after UBR at timepoint post1′. PWV did not show any significant differences between the groups and between any timepoints. pDiaBP and cDiaBP values were higher in the LBR group compared to the UBR group at post1′. All values reached pre values at post60′ in both groups. The adaptation pattern of the measured PWV as a measure of AS and BP parameters in UBR compared to LBR is similar, and all parameters regulate to their baseline values within 1 h. Therefore, no unfavorable acute effects of UBR or LBR are observed and, hence, can be recommended for this study population.