It’s a common saying that exercise is one of the best ways to live a healthier lifestyle, as it improves brain function, helps de-stress, and elevates mood. Despite its numerous benefits, millions struggle to fit an hour of exercise into their day. This may be due to factors like lack of discipline or busy schedules with minimal free time, but biological and psychological factors such as stress also strongly influence whether people stay physically active.
In a recent talk, Dr. Trevor Buhr from Iowa State University presented his research on how stress exposure affects physical activity, drawing on his paper “The persistence of stress-induced physical inactivity in rats: an investigation of central monoamine neurotransmitters and skeletal muscle oxidative stress.” Buhr reported that the rats in his experiment were separated into three groups, each receiving 0, 50, or 100 tail shocks, then released onto running wheels after 48 hours of stress exposure, with free access to run for 9 weeks. During his presentation, he said rats without stress exposure ran 8 km per week, while rats exposed to more shocks ran about 1 km by the end of the 9 weeks. Running is naturally rewarding to mice, and stress prevents them from increasing running output. In his paper, he noted that stress and exercise have long-term effects on distinct genes in striatal microglia, and during his presentation, he mentioned that stress exposure influences gene expression in the striatum, a brain region responsible for motivation and voluntary physical activity, raising the question of whether changes in these gene expression levels influence physical activity levels.
In another study, a team of trauma clinicians published research to understand the benefits and challenges of incorporating exercise when treating those with PTSD. It was reported that when people with PTSD exercise, the physical changes in their bodies, such as labored breathing, can take them back to a traumatic event and trigger a trauma response. It was also noted that in cases of PTSD, structural changes in the brain have been noticed, such as reduced volume in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are responsible for emotion regulation, declarative memory, and managing fear responses. When these structures are impacted, those with PTSD struggle to regulate their emotions and separate the present from past situations, ultimately making it harder for them to engage in physical activity. However, it is also important to understand that regular exercise can help adjust neurobiological mechanisms by reducing cortisol levels and enhancing neuroplasticity. This helps those suffering from PTSD calm themselves and ultimately improve their mental health.
The studies note that stressful events can affect brain structures and mechanisms, and that physical exercise may trigger trauma-related responses, preventing those with previous stress exposure from exercising effectively. Yet at the same time, the study conducted by the trauma clinicians shows that exercising can help minimize the impacts of stress and improve overall well-being. Therefore, as a society, we must prevent negative stereotypes that perpetuate the idea that those who cannot exercise consistently are lazy and unmotivated. This harms those struggling to engage in physical activity, as various underlying factors influence one’s ability to exercise. By better understanding how factors like stress affect exercise ability, we can offer more effective, individualized approaches to help people who have gone through stressful episodes incorporate exercise into their lives.
Citations:
1) Buhr, Trevor J et al. “The persistence of stress-induced physical inactivity in rats: an investigation of central monoamine neurotransmitters and skeletal muscle oxidative stress.” Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, vol. 17, 1169151. 16 May. 2023, doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1169151
2) Biernacka, Natasza et al. “Trauma clinicians' views of physical exercise as part of PTSD and complex PTSD treatment: A qualitative study.” PLOS Mental Health vol. 1,4 e0000114. 3 Sep. 2024, doi:10.1371/journal.pmen.0000114
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