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We appreciate the comments of Dr. Dugué and colleagues, in the preceding letter, concerning a first-time parachute jump as a model for acute psychological stress. This model has been employed in a number of studies and has been shown to induce a pronounced neuroendocrine stress response (1–5). The authors argue however, that physical activity before jumping; and in particular during the jump itself, influence the psycho-neuroendocrine response. Furthermore, it is argued that anticipatory stress of the novice jumper, incurred immediately before the first jump is a superior model for analyzing the effects of purely psychological stress on neuroendocrine parameters. However, in the studies cited as examples, the prejump psychological arousal did not significantly increase cortisol plasma concentrations (6, 7). This is in accordance with previously published observations in first-time tandem parachutists where the prejump stress did not increase cortisol, prolactin, GH, or TSH levels (3, 5). Both studies however, observed increased sympathetic activity before the jump as indicated by elevated salivary α-amylase (5) and plasma noradrenaline levels (3). The blunted neuroendocrine response before the jump itself was most probably due to stress coping mechanisms of novice parachutists (5). These subjects appear to cope well with the forthcoming jump. However, after boarding the aircraft and during ascent of the plane, heart rate values and endocrine parameters start to increase, and they peak during the jump itself as this potentially life threatening situation elicits an emergency (fight-flight) response with a weakening of psychological coping mechanisms (2, 3, 8).

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Letters to the Editor
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