Strength and stress training during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a strength training session on men's cortisol levels and correlate to the stress score during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten physically active volunteers aged 18 to 31 years participated in the study. After a 48-hour rest, an anamnesis, body composition assessment, hemodynamics at rest, assessment of heart rate variability, blood collection was applied. A reduction in cortisol levels was observed one day after the strength training session. A strong correlation was observed between the stress score and cortisol levels and between cortisol and the LFms index at rest, and between the SD1 / SD2 ratio and lean weight. A single session of high-intensity strength training effectively reduced cortisol in adult men who had high levels of perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.