Exercise Withdrawal and Stress Study

The Exercise Withdrawal and Stress Study (EWSS) investigated the psychobiological mechanisms through which regular physical activity promotes physical and mental health. This study used a randomised cross-over design carried out with healthy men and women who regularly took part in vigorous exercise and involved the detraining of research participants and the administration of cognitive tasks. Various biological markers of autonomic, neuroendocrine and immune functions which are relevant in a host of conditions were collected and examined.

The study was part of Romano Endrighi's PhD project which was funded by a British Heart Foundation studentship grant.

Principal Investigators: Dr Romano Endrighi and Professor Andrew Steptoe

Contact: Professor Andrew Steptoe (a.steptoe@ucl.ac.uk)