Come on fellas, take one for the human team!

A Southern Cross University researcher is looking for altruistic men who can cope with stress.

Think plunging your arm in icy cold water, doing an impromptu public speech and pushing weights.

It's all in the name of trying to understand how stress affects our health.

PhD research student Ann Mulder (pictured) said she initiated the research because there were limited studies to show how different types of stress affected human immune and endocrine system responses.

"We don't know, for example, if psychological stress has the same impact as pain or as the stress caused by intense exercise," she said.

"In this study we will be testing saliva to study five different bio-chemical parameters of the immune response."

Ann said she was looking to enrol healthy men, aged from 18 to 35, who do not smoke, who drink no more than 30 standard drinks a week and who exercise from three to 10 hours a week.

Participants will need to attend five sessions at Southern Cross University over a two-month period.

These clinics will involve a clinical screening session, a familiarisation with exercise equipment session and three laboratory stress testing sessions. During the familiarisation and stress sessions, saliva specimens will be taken. One blood test will also be required to be taken.

Proving to themselves they can cope with extra stress isn't the only benefit that participants will receive.

"Apart from knowing they are helping expand our understanding of the biochemistry of stress, participants will get their blood results which will give them a full blood count, liver function, kidney function, and cholesterol and triglyceride profile, lunch after the stress sessions, and a better understanding for themselves of which stressor stresses them the most. Now isn't that something to participate for?" Ann said.

If you are interested in supporting this research and would like more information about the trial please contact Ann Mulder on 6626 9181 or ann.mulder@scu.edu.au.

Media contact: Zoe Satherley, media officer 6620 3144, 0439 132 095.