Sex-based Differences in Physiological Responses to Exercise and Environmental Stimuli

Physiological responses to exercise and environmental stimuli are at the confluence of neurophysiology, musculoskeletal biology, and metabolic sciences. These adaptive responses of the human body to physical and environmental stressors—including exercises, heat, and high altitudes—differ significantly between male and female individuals due to biological and hormonal factors. Despite extensive research, sex-specific variations and their underlying physiological mechanisms remain underexplored. Addressing these differences is essential for a deeper understanding of human physiology and tailoring more effective health and performance interventions.

This Research Topic aims to enhance the characterization of physiological responses to exercise and environmental stimuli in both male and female individuals. It seeks to advance our understanding by focusing on sex-based physiological differences and how these affect response to various environmental conditions. The goal is to fill significant gaps in our current knowledge, especially regarding the integrative view of neurophysiological, musculoskeletal, and metabolic adaptations under environmental influences such as hypoxia and temperature extremes.

To gather further insights into these complex adaptations, we welcome submissions focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Neurophysiological adaptations to exercise and environmental stressors
• Sex-based differences in musculoskeletal responses to training and environmental challenges
• Metabolic regulation during physical activity under varying environmental conditions
• Acute and chronic physiological responses to altitude, heat, and other stressors
• Integrative studies exploring the interaction of neurophysiology, metabolism, and environmental stimuli

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: sex differences, exercise, adaptations, neurophysiology, metabolic, musculoskeletal biology, heat, hypoxia, environmental factors, hormones, altitude, stressors

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.