National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Group Fitness Instructor Practice Exam

What term is used to describe how a human body reacts to stress?

1. Homeostasis

2. General adaptation syndrome

3. Stress adaptation

4. Physiological response

The correct answer is: General adaptation syndrome

The term that accurately describes how the human body reacts to stress is known as "General adaptation syndrome." This concept was introduced by Hans Selye, who outlined a three-stage process that the body undergoes in response to stressors: the alarm phase, the resistance phase, and the exhaustion phase. In the alarm phase, the body recognizes that a stressor has occurred and initiates a response, leading to a temporary state of shock. During the resistance phase, the body attempts to adapt to the stressor and regain homeostasis, utilizing resources to manage the situation. If the stressor persists over a long period, it can lead to the exhaustion phase, where the body's resources are depleted, and it may struggle to cope. Understanding general adaptation syndrome is crucial for fitness professionals, as it provides insight into how clients may respond to different forms of training or environmental challenges, highlighting the importance of recovery and adaptation strategies in exercise programming. This term encompasses the whole spectrum of stress response mechanisms, making it more comprehensive in describing the body's overall reaction to stress compared to other options.