title: Links between physical fitness and cardiovascular reactivity and recovery to psychological stressors: A meta-analysis.
abstract: A meta-analysis of published studies with adult human participants was conducted to evaluate whether physical fitness attenuates cardiovascular reactivity and improves recovery from acute psychological stressors. Thirty-three studies met selection criteria; 18 were included in recovery analyses. Effect sizes and moderator influences were calculated by using meta-analysis software. A fixed effects model was fit initially; however, between-studies heterogeneity could not be explained even after inclusion of moderators. Therefore, to account for residual heterogeneity, a random effects model was estimated. Under this model, fit individuals showed significantly attenuated heart rate and systolic blood pressure reactivity and a trend toward attenuated diastolic blood pressure reactivity. Fit individuals also showed faster heart rate recovery, but there were no significant differences in systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure recovery. No significant moderators emerged. Results have important implications for elucidating mechanisms underlying effects of fitness on cardiovascular disease and suggest that fitness may be an important confound in studies of stress reactivity.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Brown Medical School, Providence, RI 02906, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Forcier
authors.forename: Laura R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Stroud
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Papandonatos
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hitsman
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reiches
authors.forename: Jenelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krishnamoorthy
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Niaura
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D002319:Cardiovascular System; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*