Cross-Sectional Investigation of Acute Stress Responses to Two Different Laboratory Stress Tests in Male and Female Athletes

Background: Regular exercise was previously shown to reduce glucocorticoid and cardiac-autonomic responses to psychosocial stressors. Specifically, laboratory-based stress induction procedures are recognized as valid experimental manipulations of the physiological stress response. Nevertheless, comparative research between different types of stressors is limited. This study was designed to examine the multi-system psychophysiological response to two stress-induction procedures—psychosocial (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) and psychophysical (Maastricht Acute Stress Test; MAST)—in male and female athletes. Methods: In a crossover pilot study, 12 athletes (6 female) underwent a TSST and a MAST, one month apart. Saliva hormones and cardiac-autonomic response (heart rate and HRV) were analyzed, besides an untargeted proteomics analysis. Results: The MAST revealed a lower elevation of heart rate (SMD = −1.47 [−2.51, −0.43]) and reduction in RMSSD (SMD = 0.98 [0.01, 1.95]) compared to the TSST. No statistically significant differences were found for hormones or subjective stress (all p < 0.05). Sex comparisons of the area under the curve exposed overall lower responses in women for aldosterone (SMD = −1.50, [−2.45, −0.51]), cortisol (SMD = −1.35, [−2.28, −0.39]), cortisone (SMD = −1.43, [−2.38, −0.46]), overall glucocorticoids (SMD = −1.44, [−2.38, −0.46]), and stronger reduction in testosterone-to-cortisone (SMD = 1.41, [0.44, 2.35]). Interestingly, sex differences were more evident in response to the TSST. Conclusions: Found sex differences underscore the importance of sex sensitive research in stress and exercise science. Our data support the presented methodological approach and encourage properly powered research on stressor comparison in relation to sports and physical fitness.