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Physiological Strain

Meaning

The measurable degree of deviation from an organism’s homeostatic set point induced by internal or external stressors, such as intense exercise, thermal challenge, emotional duress, or acute illness. Clinically, it is quantified by changes in objective biomarkers, including elevated heart rate, increased cortisol secretion, core body temperature fluctuations, or shifts in metabolic enzyme activity. Unmitigated or chronic physiological strain can lead to allostatic overload and subsequent endocrine dysfunction.