Stress is an often misused and misunderstood term as it has passed from the scientific terminology to the mainstream. Stress is defined as a change to the environment that causes the organism to move outside of its normal homeostatic control, into a period of disruption. Exercise is a typical form of acute stress as it causes a number of body systems to leave their normal range and become altered. As anyone who exercises will know, once the exercise finishes, the systems return to normal and homeostasis once again ensues. However, if the stress is too large for the body to cope, or if the stress is administered for too long, the homeostasis of the body can become semi-permanently altered and a chronic stress response can ensue. Such stress is detrimental because it leads to detrimental metabolic control and the elevated and prolonged stress response causes normal hormonal balance to deviate from its normal path. Acute stress can therefore be seen as normal and healthy, whereas chronic stress is generally detrimental.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
