What is the Origin of Stress Adaptation Cycle?

Rooted in Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), this concept has been refined by modern endocrinology to specifically account for the interplay between the HPA axis activation and subsequent tissue remodeling. It provides a framework for managing chronic load.

What is the Mechanism of Stress Adaptation Cycle?

Initial stress exposure triggers sympathetic activation and glucocorticoid release to mobilize energy resources, representing the alarm phase. If the stressor is managed appropriately through recovery, the system enters a resistance phase, characterized by heightened allostatic load capacity, often involving beneficial changes in receptor sensitivity. Failure to recover leads to the exhaustion phase, marked by HPA axis dysregulation and compromised endocrine function.

Stress Adaptation Cycle ∞ Area

Stress Adaptation Cycle

Meaning

The Stress Adaptation Cycle describes the systemic, time-dependent physiological process through which the body responds to repeated stressors, moving from an initial alarm phase through resistance and eventually to exhaustion or a new state of homeostasis. Understanding this cycle is vital for optimizing training, recovery, and endocrine resilience over time.