title: The General Adaptation Syndrome: Potential misapplications to resistance exercise.
abstract: Within the resistance training literature, one of the most commonly cited tenets with respect to exercise programming is the "General Adaptation Syndrome" (GAS). The GAS is cited as a central theory behind the periodization of resistance exercise. However, after examining the original stress research by Hans Selye, the applications of GAS to resistance exercise may not be appropriate.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the original work of Hans Selye, as well as the original papers through which the GAS was established as a central theory for periodized resistance exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a review of Selye's work on the GAS, as well as the foundational papers through which this concept was applied to resistance exercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The work of Hans Selye focused on the universal physiological stress responses noted upon exposure to toxic levels of a variety of pharmacological agents and stimuli. The extrapolations that have been made to resistance exercise appear loosely based on this concept and may not be an appropriate basis for application of the GAS to resistance exercise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, United States.
authors.forename: Samuel L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Buckner
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, United States.
authors.forename: J Grant
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Mouser
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, United States.
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dankel
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, United States.
authors.forename: Matthew B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jessee
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, United States.
authors.forename: Kevin T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Mattocks
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, United States. Electronic address: jploenne@olemiss.edu.
authors.forename: Jeremy P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Loenneke
mesh_terms: D005790:General Adaptation Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology; D013312:Stress, Physiological
keywords: Adaptation energy; Exercise physiology; Periodization; Skeletal muscle; Strength and conditioning; Stress