<p>Interestingly, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF03345606" rel="nofollow noreferrer">intense exercise elevates levels of cortisol</a>, which is the primary stress hormone. However, since this intense exercise usually only lasts for a short time (except maybe for ultra-marathon runners), it is considered <a href="https://exploreim.ucla.edu/mind-body/defining-stress/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">acute rather than chronic stress</a>. Other "intense" activities, like sex, also elevate levels of stress hormones. This just goes to show you that some stress is good. Generally, only chronic stress is bad (or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posttraumatic_stress_disorder" rel="nofollow noreferrer">brief very intense stress from trauma</a>).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-25T04:28:31.870Z
2020-05-25T04:28:31.870Z
jerlich
<p>The sympathetic nervous system's primary process is to stimulate the body's fight-flight-or-freeze response. It is, however, constantly active at a basic level to maintain <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeostasis" rel="nofollow noreferrer">homeostasis</a> (Brodal, 2004).</p>
<p>The heart rate and breathing increase is needed for homeostasis due to the need for more blood oxygen and fuel by the muscles.</p>
<h2>References</h2>
<p>Brodal, P. (2004). <em>The Central Nervous System: Structure and Function</em> (3 ed.). US: Oxford University Press. pp. 369–396. ISBN 0-19-516560-8.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-22T09:53:24.197Z
2020-05-22T09:53:24.197Z
2020-06-17T09:55:31.633Z
Chris Rogers
<p>When you do heavy exercise like running, your heart rate, and breathing increases, is it because of the sympathetic nervous system controls it? Or the Sympathetic nervous system only activates on the fight-flight situation? Or is the exercise considered a fight-flight situation by our brain?</p>

<behavior><brain><stress>
Is exercise considered a 'fight-flight' situation by our brain?
Sooraj MV
# Is exercise considered a 'fight-flight' situation by our brain?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-22)

When you do heavy exercise like running, your heart rate, and breathing increases, is it because of the sympathetic nervous system controls it? Or the Sympathetic nervous system only activates on the fight-flight situation? Or is the exercise considered a fight-flight situation by our brain?

**Tags:** behavior, brain, stress


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-05-25. Score: 2

Interestingly, [intense exercise elevates levels of cortisol](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF03345606), which is the primary stress hormone. However, since this intense exercise usually only lasts for a short time (except maybe for ultra-marathon runners), it is considered [acute rather than chronic stress](https://exploreim.ucla.edu/mind-body/defining-stress/). Other "intense" activities, like sex, also elevate levels of stress hormones. This just goes to show you that some stress is good. Generally, only chronic stress is bad (or [brief very intense stress from trauma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posttraumatic_stress_disorder)).


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### Answer by username_2 on 2020-05-22. Score: 0

The sympathetic nervous system's primary process is to stimulate the body's fight-flight-or-freeze response. It is, however, constantly active at a basic level to maintain [homeostasis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeostasis) (Brodal, 2004).

The heart rate and breathing increase is needed for homeostasis due to the need for more blood oxygen and fuel by the muscles.

## References

Brodal, P. (2004). *The Central Nervous System: Structure and Function* (3 ed.). US: Oxford University Press. pp. 369–396. ISBN 0-19-516560-8.


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