Effects of stress inoculation training on self‐report,behavioural and psychophysiological reactions to abseiling

The study examined the effect of stress inoculation training on the level of self‐reported stress and anxiety, overt signs of distress and the physiological impact of the stress of abseiling. Twenty volunteer subjects were randomly assigned to either a ‘no training’ control group or a stress inoculation training group, following which both groups of subjects had to complete a test abseil from the roof of a 21.2 m building. Prior to descent, two self‐report measures were taken: an intensity score derived from the word or phrase chosen by subjects from the Perceived Stress Index to best describe their feelings and a state anxiety score from Spielberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Overt distress was also evaluated by a ‘blind’ observer also using the Perceived Stress Index. In addition, heart rate was monitored just prior to and throughout the abseil using a telemetry system. The stress inoculation group showed significantly less self‐reported anxiety and stress and less behavioural signs of distress as judged by the observer. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of heart rate. In addition, while self‐report and the assessment of the observer were highly inter‐correlated, these measures were poorly correlated with heart rate.     

The effect of stress inoculation training on self‐reported stress,observer's rating of stress,heart rate and gymnastics performance

Eighteen volunteer female subjects received preliminary instruction in a simple gymnastics bench sequence. They were then given a pre‐intervention test on a bench at ground level. Self‐reported distress, an independent observer's ratings of distress and heart rates were monitored immediately prior to performance of the sequence. Performances were also videotaped and formally scored by a qualified gymnastics judge. Subjects were then randomly assigned to a stress inoculation training group or a ‘no stress management’ training control group. Stress inoculation group subjects then received seven sessions of training in relaxation, imagery and making self‐statements in order to develop a set of coping skills. Control group subjects also received seven training sessions during which they practised a series of coordination exercises, but no psychological stress management training was given to this group.

All subjects were then re‐tested on the bench sequence but this time at a height of 1.52 m. Self‐reported stress, observer's ratings of distress and heart rate were recorded as before. Performance was again videotaped for scoring. The stress inoculation group reported significantly less stress prior to the test on the elevated beam than the control group. However, the groups did not differ in terms of heart rate. Further, the stress inoculation group performed reliably better than the control group on the elevated bench.     

Perceived life stress and anxiety correlate with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in runners

Numerous causes of exercise-related gastrointestinal (GI) distress exist but scarce research has evaluated potential psychological causes. Runners (74 men, 76 women) prospectively recorded running duration, intensity (Rating of Perceived Exertion [RPE]), and GI symptoms for 30 days. Six GI symptoms were rated on a 0–10 scale. The percentage of runs over 30 days that participants reported at least one upper, lower, or any GI symptom ≥3 was calculated. After 30 days, participants completed a questionnaire on GI distress triggers (demographics, anthropometrics, experience, analgesic use, antibiotic use, probiotic consumption, fluid/food intake, stress, anxiety). Stress and anxiety were measured via the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The median percentage of runs that participants experienced at least one GI symptom ≥3 was 45.6% (interquartile range [IQR], 16.6–67.3%). Age and running experience negatively correlated with GI distress occurrence (rho = ?0.17 to ?0.34; p < 0.05). Run RPE, probiotic food consumption, PSS scores, and BAI scores positively correlated with GI distress occurrence (rho = 0.18 to 0.36; p < 0.05). Associations between GI distress, stress and anxiety remained significant after adjustment for covariates, except for lower GI symptoms. This study suggests that stress and anxiety contribute to running-related GI distress.     

The measurement of competitive anxiety during balance beam performance in gymnasts

The purpose of the present study was to investigate competitive anxiety during balance beam performance in gymnasts. Competitive anxiety was assessed continuously by heart rate monitoring and by retrospective self-report of nervousness in eight female national level gymnasts during their balance beam routine during one competition and two training sessions. A significant negative correlation was found between the score of the retrospective self-report of nervousness and performance during the routine. There were no significant differences in performance score by the judges between the three test sessions. There were also no differences in the retrospective self-report of nervousness. However, heart rate was significantly higher during the competition session than during the training sessions. The potential value of the retrospective report of nervousness for the study of critical events during gymnastic performance is illustrated. The results are discussed in the light of catastrophe theory.     

The measurement of competitive anxiety during balance beam performance in gymnasts

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate competitive anxiety during balance beam performance in gymnasts. Competitive anxiety was assessed continuously by heart rate monitoring and by retrospective self-report of nervousness in eight female national level gymnasts during their balance beam routine during one competition and two training sessions. A significant negative correlation was found between the score of the retrospective self-report of nervousness and performance during the routine. There were no significant differences in performance score by the judges between the three test sessions. There were also no differences in the retrospective self-report of nervousness. However, heart rate was significantly higher during the competition session than during the training sessions. The potential value of the retrospective report of nervousness for the study of critical events during gymnastic performance is illustrated. The results are discussed in the light of catastrophe theory.     

Self-reported and activPALTM-monitored physical activity and sedentary behaviour in college students: Not all sitting behaviours are linked to perceived stress and anxiety

ABSTRACT

This study examined relationships between physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) with state-trait anxiety and stress. State-Trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), psychological stress (Perceived Stress Scale), SB across domains during weekdays and weekends (Last 7-day Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire) and PA intensities (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) were assessed by self-report in 360 undergraduates (44% females, mean age 20.9 ± 2.93 years). A subsample (n = 121; 53.7% females; mean age 20.8 ± 2.6 years) wore an activPAL^TM to determine total SB, light, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA). Self-reported MVPA was significantly associated with lower trait anxiety and perceived stress, whereas light PA was only associated with lower perceived stress. Weekend total self-reported SB was related to higher trait anxiety and perceived stress levels, while total SB during the week was not. Of all SB domains, only leisure SB (screen and non-screen based) was associated with higher trait anxiety and perceived stress. PA attenuated the negative relationships between excessive sitting time and trait anxiety but not perceived stress. No associations were found for monitor-based measures of PA and SB. No associations were found between PA or SB variables with state anxiety. Further research is needed to assess causal and reciprocal relationships between PA, SB and mental health in college students.     

A multi-component assessment model for monitoring training distress among athletes

Abstract

We report the initial validation of a multi-component assessment model for monitoring training distress among athletes. The model combines measures of mood disturbance with measures of perceived stress and symptom intensity. Altogether, 492 athletes completed the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10; Cohen et al., 1983), the 24-item Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS; Terry et al., 2003), and a checklist of 19 symptoms associated with acute overtraining (Fry et al., 1994). Six training distress factors were identified by an exploratory factor analysis: “depressed mood”, “perceived vigour”, “physical symptoms”, “sleep disturbance”, “perceived stress”, and “general fatigue”. Comparisons of group means of these factors with a previously validated inventory were consistent with theoretical predictions and provided evidence of construct validity. Internal consistency of the subscales was also confirmed, with Cronbach alphas ranging from 0.72 to 0.86. Together, these findings suggest that this multi-component model provides a sound conceptual basis for the assessment of training distress among athletes.     

Impact of a Simulated Stress Training Program on the Tactical Shooting Performance of SWAT Trainees

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To create a high-stress shooting among the crowd (SAC) program and to examine its effectiveness in reducing SWAT trainees’ stress level and their shooting performance in a simulated hostage-rescue situation. Method: After the SAC program was created, it was evaluated using a pretest and posttest experimental design: 98 young male SWAT trainees were randomly divided into experiment and control groups, with the former group trained in hostage rescue, shooting with real persons (high stress), and the latter group trained with “dummy” men (low stress); training for both lasted three days. Their shooting performance was assessed by a tactical shooting test in both high- and low-stress tests in a counterbalanced order, before and after the training, and monitored during the training, as were their stress levels by a set of physical (heart rate [HR] and heart rate recovery time [HRRt]), psychological (salivary cortisol and α-amylase), and self-reported anxiety measures. Results: The SAC program created needed high-stress for hostage rescue situations as reflected in increased physical, psychological, and anxiety scores and reduced shooting performance. Even with short SAC training, SWAT trainees’ capacity in handling high stress and tactical shooting performance were significantly improved. HR, HRRt, and anxiety tests have been found to be effective in monitoring stress and should be a part of future SWAT training. Conclusion: A SAC program involving real people was created, and its effectiveness was confirmed using a pretest and posttest experimental design.     

基于SRPE竞速运动项目训练负荷评价方法的实证研究

目的:基于自行车运动员的训练负荷实证评价,探讨竞速运动项目训练负荷主观感知疲劳评价(session rating of perceived exertion,SRPE)的有效性,并证明训练因素[心率(HR)、训练压力分数(TSS)、训练刺激量(TRIMP)、代谢当量(MET)、能量消耗(EE)]与非训练因素(自感疲劳、压力等级、睡眠质量、肌肉酸痛、训练积极性)对训练负荷量(SRPETL)的影响作用。方法:10名优秀职业自行车运动员(均为男性),测试开始前1周均未进行过大强度运动。运用SRPE、心率计(Garmin佳明HRM-tri)、码表(Garmin佳明edge 200)、身心恢复测试量表等对42天的高原训练负荷进行测试。内部负荷采用SRPE-TL、ETRIMP、ETRIMP、%HRmax表示,外部负荷采用TSS、MET、EE表示。结果:平均每周的SRPE-TL为5 300±1 512 AU。训练单调性(TM)为2.22±0.81 AU,训练应激(TS)为12 766±1 334 AU。SRPE-TL与各测试指标之间具有显著相关性(r=0.58~0.81)。逐步多元回归分析结果表明ETRIMP、TSS、自感疲劳、肌肉酸痛和压力等级可以解释SRPE-TL 71.8%的变异程度(Y=453.12+2.99 ETRIMP+1.20 TSS-114.81自感疲劳-111.30肌肉酸痛+85.81压力等级)。结论:SRPE是评价竞速项目训练负荷的一种有效手段,并且SRPETL是一个全域性指标,且训练因素与非训练因素均对运动员感知疲劳有影响作用。     

优秀运动员应激源与运动心理疲劳关系研究

依据Smith认知-情感理论模型及Silva消极训练应激反应模型,采用<运动员应激量表>、<运动员心理疲劳问卷>对132名一级以上11个项目的在训运动员进行调查,结果发现:优秀运动员应激水平属于中等偏低,"运动受伤"和"环境肉素"得分较高;不同训练年限、经济条件的优秀运动员应激水平存在显著性差异,在人际关系因子方面呈现出随入队年限递增而分值递减的趋势,在日常生活遭受方面经济条件差的得分最高;应激各因子与运动心理疲劳总分均存在显著性正相关,高应激组与低应激组的运动心理疲劳存在显著性差异;比赛失利因子进入对运动心理疲劳总分的回归方程.     

应对策略对体育管理人员工作压力与身心健康的调节

近年来我国体育产业发展迅速,为确保产业的高效运转,管理人员是否体验到较低的工作压力水平,有较高的工作满意度和良好的身心健康状况至关重要。以中国香港体育管理人员为研究对象,采用Godin休闲运动问卷,职业压力量表-2和身心健康认知量表对343名体育管理人员进行调查。结果发现,体育管理人员严重缺乏体育运动,工作压力处于中等偏高水平,总体身心健康状况和工作满意度较好。工作压力对于管理人员的身心健康呈现负面影响,体育运动对身体健康有直接影响,支持应对策略在压力与健康之间起着显著的调节作用。因此,参加适量的体育运动和学习使用社会支持,有助于缓解体育管理人员的工作压力和改善身心健康状况。     

Is an elevated submaximal heart rate associated with psychomotor slowness in young elite soccer players?

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to find early markers for overreaching that are applicable in sport practice. In a group of elite soccer players aged 15–18, the stress–recovery balance and reaction times before and after exercise were assessed. Overreaching was indicated by an elevated submaximal heart rate during a sport-specific field test. Submaximal changes in heart rate were prospectively monitored by means of monthly Interval Shuttle Run Tests during two competitive seasons. Out of 94 players, seven players with an elevated heart rate of at least one month could be included in the study, together with seven controls, matched for age, body composition, training and performance level. The stress–recovery balance was assessed with the Dutch version of the Recovery Stress Questionnaire (RESTQ-Sport). The soccer players with an elevated heart rate reported a disturbed stress–recovery balance (Mann–Whitney test, P<0.05). An ANOVA for repeated measures of reaction times revealed a significant main effect of time (F _1,12=13.87, P<0.01) indicating an improvement of psychomotor speed. No differences between groups were found. We conclude that soccer players with an elevated submaximal heart rate of at least one month share a disturbed stress–recovery balance, but they could not be distinguished from controls based on reaction time after strenuous exercise.     

Reliability and Validity of a New Physical Activity Self-Report Measure for Younger Children

The purpose of this study was to assess the test–retest reliability and validity of a new Youth Physical Activity Self-Report measure. Heart rate and direct observation were employed as criterion measures with a sample of 79 children (aged 7–9 years). Spearman's rho (ρ) correlation between self reported activity intensity and heart rate was .87 for weekday and .795 for weekend; the correlation between self-reported activity duration and duration as measured by heart rate were .837 and .684 for weekday and weekend, respectively. These correlations fell when recalled inactivity was excluded from analysis. A correlation of ρ = .557 was found between self-reported activity intensity and direct observation. Results establish support for the self-report measure as an effective tool for measuring the previous day physical activity of younger children.     

武术运动员赛前情绪及临场应对方式的研究

对68名参加第七届全国大学生武术锦标赛的运动员的赛前情绪状态及其临场应激应对方式进行了调查与研究。结果表明:名次前列的武术运动员的个体失败焦虑、社会期待焦虑得分低于名次后列的运动员,且其与比赛名次呈显著相关,而在自信心与躯体焦虑因子上差异不显著,与比赛名次也不存在显著相关,赛前情绪是影响训练水平与比赛成绩之间关系的一个重要因素;名次前列与后列运动员在面对各种应激源时,4种不同的应对方式均有采用,但前者在采用进攻式应激应对策略的得分均高于后者,而在采用回避式应激应对策略的得分则是大部分都低于后者,赛前情绪各因子与临场应激应对方式各因子呈一定相关,表明两者之间存在一定的相关关系;认知-情感调控训练法、模拟应激训练法、放松训练法与控制点训练法等是几种可以改善赛前情绪状态及临场应激应对方式的有效方法与手段;武术套路运动员的赛前训练不仅是单纯的竞技技术训练,还应包括必要的、系统的心理训练内容。各种训练方法应根据具体运动员在各训练阶段的实际需要进行科学组合,使能发挥最大训练效果。     

冥想训练对美国中学游泳选手训练后的焦虑、心境状态及心率恢复的影响

研究旨在探讨心理整理对中学旅游选手训练后恢复情况的影响。共有７０名（男４２名,女２８名）１４至１７岁的被试参加了该实验,实验持续了５周。在第１周所有被试均参加心境、状态焦虑和心率的前测,以确定这些指标的基值水平。在余下的４周时间里,实验组的被试在训练后的下午进行身体整理活之后,进行２５ｍｉｎ的呼吸冥想训练;而控制组的被试则以２５ｍｉｎ的休息取代呼吸冥想。在每周结束时,对两组被试的心镜、焦虎和心率分     

Effects of 8-week endurance and resistance training programmes on cardiovascular stress responses,life stress and coping

ABSTRACT

This study tested the effect of 8-week endurance and resistance training programmes on cardiovascular stress responses, life stress, and coping. Fifty-two untrained but healthy female students were randomised to an 8-week endurance training, an 8-week resistance training, or a wait list control group. Before and after the training intervention, we assessed the groups’ cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max test), self-reported life stress, coping strategies and cardiovascular reactivity to and recovery from a standardised laboratory stressor. Both endurance and resistance training programmes caused physiological adaptation in terms of increased VO2max after the intervention. For stress and coping parameters, participants in the training groups improved cardiovascular recovery from stress and reported having less stress in their everyday life after the intervention than participants in the control group, while the two training groups did not differ from each other. We did not find any significant differences in heart rate reactivity and coping strategies between the study groups. These results partly support that exercise training has stress-reducing benefits regardless of the type of exercise. Both endurance and resistance exercise activities may be effectively used to improve stress regulation competence while having less impact on changing specific coping strategies.     

Peripheral Narrowing among Experienced and Inexperienced Rifle Shooters under Low- and High-Stress Conditions

Abstract

This study examined Easterbrook's (1959) hypothesis that performance on a primary task would improve or at least be maintained with increased levels of arousal, while performance on a secondary task would decrease. To test this hypothesis, the performance of 20 collegiate rifle shooters (10 experienced, 10 inexperienced) on a primary target shooting task and a secondary auditory task were compared while shooting under low- and high-time stress conditions. Heart rate results, but not a self-report anxiety measure, provided evidence for the effectiveness of the stress manipulation. The results primarily supported Easterbrook's hypothesis. There were no differences in secondary task performance between experienced and inexperienced shooters. However, subjects who first underwent high time stress followed by low (H-L) shot better than those given the reverse order (L-H). These findings are discussed in relation to the attention demands of self-paced sports as well as the transfer effects of stress.     

Effect of Gymnastic Training on Orthostatic Efficiency

Abstract

Seventeen subjects were used to determine the effect of gymnastic training on orthostatic efficiency. The experimental group included 10 subjects that practiced on heavy apparatus for 3 months. The control group included 7 subjects that practiced volleyball for the same length of time. Circulatory adjustments to gravity were measured by heart rate and blood pressure differences between lying and standing positions. The results showed that the gymnastic group improved its orthostatic efficiency through a rise in systolic pressure and a smaller decrease of the pulse pressure upon standing, with no significant changes shown by the control group.     

对运动心理学中关于应激、唤醒和焦虑概念的思考

采用文献资料法,对文献进行整理,对应激、唤醒和焦虑的概念进行探讨,旨在阐明三者之间的关系。应激是一个过程而绝非一种状态,唤醒可以是应激过程中的某种状态,而焦虑是心理唤醒水平中的一个部分。在一定范围内可以用焦虑水平来反映唤醒水平,但它决不能代替唤醒概念的全部。