Skydiving as a Model of Psychological Stress and Its Effect on Intestinal Barrier Function

In this study, it will be investigated how psychological stress evoked by skydiving affects the intestinal permeability in 20 healthy subjects. Participants attend two visits: 1) Skydiving visit, 2) Negative control visit. At all visits, saliva samples, blood samples, and faecal samples are collected, and the multi-sugar permeability test is performed. In this test, participants drink a sugar solution and then collect urine for 5 and 24 h. The ratio of the sugars detected in the urine is a reflection of the intestinal permeability. Saliva samples are collected for assessment of cortisol, a stress marker. Blood and faecal samples are collected for assessment of markers of intestinal barrier function and inflammation.