PubHawk
J Endocrinol Invest July 2008 PMID 18787373

Exercise and circulating cortisol levels: the intensity threshold effect.

E E Hill, E Zack, C Battaglini, M Viru, A Viru, A C Hackney

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Mentions

107
Peak: 3 in Jul 2022
across 5 sources since Jan 2020

Extended reach

272,982
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Total likes

1,317

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49,574

Mentions per month

Jan 2020 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Most comments agree that higher exercise intensities increase cortisol levels, with examples like mentions of 'high intensity' leading to hormone spikes, and discussions about 'moderate versus intense' exercise effects. The tone varies from supportive and curious to skeptical, and some posts reference specific studies, showing a moderate level of engagement and recognition of the research’s relevance.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the link between exercise intensity and cortisol levels, with some explicitly supporting the study’s findings.

InterestHigh interest

The topic of how different intensities impact hormone responses sparks considerable curiosity, as evidenced by comments about the significance and practical implications.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include references to specific research details and ask questions, indicating moderate thoughtful engagement with the subject.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest that individuals see this research as relevant for understanding exercise effects on health and stress management, though not universally revolutionary.

Abstract in brief

  • This study investigated how different exercise intensities (40%, 60%, and 80% of VO2max) affect cortisol levels in the blood, finding that higher intensities (60% and 80%) significantly increase cortisol compared to lower intensity and resting conditions.
  • The increase in cortisol at higher intensities appears to be due to both direct stimulation of the HPA axis (indicated by ACTH levels) and hemoconcentration, which concentrates blood components.
  • Overall, moderate to high intensity exercise triggers a noticeable rise in circulating cortisol, while low intensity exercise (40%) does not produce a significant change, highlighting the importance of exercise intensity in stress hormone responses.]
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Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
endocrinorosero
@endocrinorosero · X

@dking82 A ver a ver a ver... No me meta en el combo ... Aqui se lo doy : https://t.co/IsTpONNkNU

Jul 21, 2022 · 27 likes · 2 shares · 159,669 followers View post →
∆.R.∆.M
@aramh4ck · X

@endocrinorosero El estudio https://t.co/c9agkFOv23.

Jul 21, 2022 · 11 likes · 1 share · 31,353 followers View post →
Siara
@dirty_demonias · X

@REDBULLMONO @saulielovescats https://t.co/FcelQPAqAl Cardio increases cortisol levels and you can look up what high cortisol does to you if you don't know, it's not pretty at all. Low intensity cardio on the other hand (like walking) doesn't raise cortisol by much so it's okay to do a lot of that

Oct 11, 2024 · 6 likes · 1 share · 65 followers View post →
Jennifer Strahan
@j_grieshaber · X

@RandallBurns5 @DoctorJack16 Ask and you shall receive, here is one study: https://t.co/8XOSeppPiB

Jan 30, 2023 · 2 likes · 16,624 followers View post →
Thailand Medical News
@ThailandMedicaX · X

https://t.co/2ymeCtITKt

Jan 23, 2024 · 2 likes · 6,049 followers View post →
Darkfalcon
@darkfalcon50 · X

https://t.co/hAdZIfbkcg https://t.co/jQJmnpmLKK https://t.co/YBGdDFwXTe https://t.co/ZmGQPQuLYX

May 22, 2025 · 2 likes · 367 followers View post →

All mentions

Koca
@trxndadeK · X

@JOTAVEOOPROPRIO @pivetemaromba Hill, E. E., Zack, E., Battaglini, C., Viru, M., Viru, A., & Hackney, A. C. (2008). Exercise and circulating cortisol levels: the intensity threshold effect.

Sep 5, 2025 · 27 followers View post →
Daniel /Digital Nomad & affiliate marketer
@MarketDriveUK · X

@hoopism @gunsnrosesgirl3 https://t.co/AUqMuq1I6C

Aug 17, 2025 · 1 like · 1,058 followers View post →
Darkfalcon
@darkfalcon50 · X

https://t.co/hAdZIfbkcg https://t.co/jQJmnpmLKK https://t.co/YBGdDFwXTe https://t.co/ZmGQPQuLYX

May 22, 2025 · 2 likes · 367 followers View post →
Marco André
@Marco_Andre001 · X

@belllll_her @santicampari En este estudio se habla de como el ejercicio moderado/intenso sube el cortisol: https://t.co/x4rLlWCaHf

Nov 14, 2024 · 403 followers View post →
Lu
@_lulopp01 · X

RT @endocrinorosero: @dking82 A ver a ver a ver... No me meta en el combo ... Aqui se lo doy : https://t.co/IsTpONNkNU

Oct 24, 2024 · 2 shares · 22 followers View post →
Lola
@disorderedlibra · X

RT @dirty_demonias: @REDBULLMONO @saulielovescats https://t.co/FcelQPAqAl Cardio increases cortisol levels and you can look up what high c…

Oct 12, 2024 · 1 share · 254 followers View post →
Siara
@dirty_demonias · X

@REDBULLMONO @saulielovescats https://t.co/FcelQPAqAl Cardio increases cortisol levels and you can look up what high cortisol does to you if you don't know, it's not pretty at all. Low intensity cardio on the other hand (like walking) doesn't raise cortisol by much so it's okay to do a lot of that

Oct 11, 2024 · 6 likes · 1 share · 65 followers View post →
FND Health
@FNDHealthCoach · X

@FitFounder Is that right? https://t.co/UDRykpGC4G

Jun 14, 2024 · 249 followers View post →
マック・ボラン
@uwLYnB6zA0pfl7G · X

https://t.co/6kt4UY8qfu 「運動と循環コルチゾールレベル：強度閾値効果」 DOI: 10.1007/BF03345606 https://t.co/VujVJbbVE6

Feb 14, 2024 · 316 followers View post →
Nihil Supernum ⚡️
@stolkovandrew · X

@RokoMijic High intensity = rise in cortisol Low intensity = neutral or reduction https://t.co/EeGQUsNcXH

Feb 9, 2024 · 169 followers View post →
Thailand Medical News
@ThailandMedicaX · X

https://t.co/2ymeCtITKt

Jan 23, 2024 · 2 likes · 6,049 followers View post →
Assent Performance
@SteAssent · X

https://t.co/QQ9MxaJPZK Also the intensity of exercise matters too. The lower as (%vo2max) the lower the cortisol response. I’m not aware of any evidence that normal circadian cortisol function is indicative of injury risk?

Jan 21, 2024 · 1,727 followers View post →
Jim A
@JimAshmoreUS · X

@WilliamsRoue @FitFounder Low intensity cardio actually reduces cortisol. https://t.co/1mDHGKU1y5. https://t.co/ghO5edJ1GE

Sep 12, 2023 · 182 followers View post →
Biomass Bob
@SentientBlobBob · X

@CharismaKings Most of the evidence I can think of falls within the exercise threshold sphere. A lot of research has been done on marathoners, etc. https://t.co/4ZQqws8wIf

Jun 18, 2023 · 1 like · 806 followers View post →
Dr Shiivv
@shiv_twitts · X

@saji_dr Short term increase of stress hormone like cortisol is nothing to be concerned about as it only strength body & reduce long term baseline stress hormone levels. Even exercise increases cortisol in short term: https://t.co/cVAOAcwkcJ

Apr 24, 2023 · 1 like · 1,516 followers View post →
Jennifer Strahan
@j_grieshaber · X

@RandallBurns5 @DoctorJack16 Ask and you shall receive, here is one study: https://t.co/8XOSeppPiB

Jan 30, 2023 · 2 likes · 16,624 followers View post →
The Psober Psychonaut
@PsobrPsychonaut · X

Gentle #exercise - "...low intensity exercise actually resulted in a reduction in circulating cortisol levels." https://t.co/3W0QAcdnnG

Sep 30, 2022 · 59 followers View post →
Steven Mathis
@SteveMathis · X

@KevinTimms11 @AlpacaAurelius Nope. Don’t be a closed minded fool. https://t.co/Id8otJwrhw

Sep 20, 2022 · 533 followers View post →
Luis Gustavo
@luisgustavo1979 · X

Exercise and circulating cortisol levels: the intensity threshold effect https://t.co/ioICZGNwmY "low intensity exercise actually resulted in a reduction in circulating cortisol levels"

Aug 31, 2022 · 72 followers View post →
nargis gandhy
@GandhyNargis · X

@lexfridman Body doesn’t need that much pushing …. https://t.co/u5rUvEsJI2

Aug 3, 2022 · 60 followers View post →
Néstor Rodríguez
@nestorero18 · X

RT @endocrinorosero: @dking82 A ver a ver a ver... No me meta en el combo ... Aqui se lo doy : https://t.co/IsTpONNkNU

Jul 22, 2022 · 2 shares · 699 followers View post →
endocrinorosero
@endocrinorosero · X

@dking82 A ver a ver a ver... No me meta en el combo ... Aqui se lo doy : https://t.co/IsTpONNkNU

Jul 21, 2022 · 27 likes · 2 shares · 159,669 followers View post →
∆.R.∆.M
@aramh4ck · X

@endocrinorosero El estudio https://t.co/c9agkFOv23.

Jul 21, 2022 · 11 likes · 1 share · 31,353 followers View post →
David Rosa
@DavidRosaXCO · X

@gmoreira_esp Cortisol a disparar com a etapa de ontem?

May 22, 2022 · 1,101 followers View post →
Dao
@daohuy_ntn · X

There're still some points I can't understand in this research abstract but in general high intensity exercises result in significant increases in cortisol levels. In short, work-out is good but too much work-out totally backfires. https://t.co/CKmTBeEJ4R

Mar 10, 2022 · 1 like · 12 followers View post →