Are standard heart rate variability measures associated with the self-perception of stress of firefighters in action?

Extensive research has been published on the effects of music in reducing anxiety. Yet, for most of the existing works, a common methodology regarding musical genres and measurement techniques is missing, which limits considerably the comparison between them. In this study, we assess, for the first time, markedly different musical genres with both psychological and physiological measurements. Three previously studied musical samples from different genres—classical (Pachelbel’s Canon in D), Turkish (Hüseyin Makam), and electroacoustic (pure electronic)—were employed to influence “everyday anxiety” in 50 German participants (25 females, 25 males). Psychological (self-perception assessment) and physiological (heart rate measurement) indicators of anxiety, as most typical of prior work, were considered. Our study shows that listening to Pachelbel’s Canon increases the self-perception of calm, whereas listening to the electroacoustic sample decreases it; the Turkish sample is in between. No differences in heart rate are found for any of the musical genres. Our study also suggests that listeners’ self-perception might be biased by the statements used in the psychological evaluation (positive or negative), which are interpreted differently by the subjects depending on their current state.

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The Effects of Avoiding Instructions Under Pressure: An Examination of the Volleyball Serving Task

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2021-0039 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 78 (1) ◽

pp. 239-249

Author(s):

Recep Gorgulu ◽

Eslem Gokcek

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

The Self ◽

Target Zone ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Ironic Processes ◽

Performance Error ◽

Overall Performance ◽

Practical Instruction

Abstract Wegner predicts that under pressure self-avoiding instructions not to perform in a certain manner will break down precisely where it is least desired that is the hypothesis of the present study. Specifically, the aim was to test the hypothesis that when instructed not to serve into a certain zone, ironic error would be more prevalent under pressure. Our sample comprised 43 female participants between the age of 13 and 16 (Mage = 14.51, SD = 1.35) who were active volleyball players (Mtraining years = 5.40, SD = 2.38). We measured the participants’ psychophysiological indications of anxiety via the heart rate, heart rate variability as well as the self-reported Mental Readiness Form-3. To measure performance, we counted the number of target and non-target serving zones under different anxiety conditions. Participants scored +5 points for serving into the target zone, scored -5 points for serving to the out or hitting the net and 1 point for serving into the court except the target zone. A 2 (anxiety) × 3 (serving zone) fully repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant anxiety x serving zone interaction F (2, 84) = 36.52, p < .001. When instructed not to serve in a certain zone, players’ overall performance did not change across anxiety conditions t (42) = .68, p =.50. Results did not provide support for the Wegner’s theory as expected, but instead revealed evidence for the Woodman et al.’s (2015) differentiation of ironic performance error. The results demonstrate that the theory of ironic processes may account for practical instruction-based solution for reducing the susceptibility to ironic errors in the serving type of task in volleyball.

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Trait Mindfulness Is Associated With the Self-Similarity of Heart Rate Variability

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00314 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Shasha Sun ◽

Chuanlin Hu ◽

Junhao Pan ◽

Chengyi Liu ◽

Miner Huang

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

The Self ◽

Trait Mindfulness ◽

Self Similarity

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Training Load Measures and Biomarker Responses during a 7-Day Training Camp in Young Cyclists—A Pilot Study

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57070673 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (7) ◽

pp. 673

Author(s):

Yvonne Wahl ◽

Silvia Achtzehn ◽

Daniela Schäfer Olstad ◽

Joachim Mester ◽

Patrick Wahl

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Training Load ◽

The Self ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Training Process ◽

Self Perception ◽

Multilevel Approach ◽

Training Camp ◽

Training Impulse

Background and Objectives: During intense training periods, there is a high need to monitor the external and especially the internal training load in order to fine-tune the training process and to avoid overreaching or overtraining. However, data on stress reactions, especially of biomarkers, to high training loads in children and youth are rare. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the training load of youth athletes during a training camp using a multilevel approach. Materials and Methods: Six trained youth male cyclists performed a 7-day preseason training camp. To investigate the internal training load, every morning, minimally invasive “point-of-care testing” (POCT) devices were used to analyze the following biomarkers: creatine kinase (CK), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (Alb), bilirubin (Bil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total protein (TP). Additionally, data of training load measures (HR: heart rate, RPE: rating of perceived exertion, sRPE: session-RPE, TRIMP: training impulse, intensity (RPE:HR), and load (sRPE:TRIMP) ratios), self-perception (person’s perceived physical state, questionnaires on muscle soreness, and sleep quality), and measures of the autonomic nervous system (resting heart rate, heart rate variability) were collected. Two days before and after the training camp, subjects performed performance tests (Graded Exercise Test, Wingate Anaerobic Test, Counter Movement Jump). Results: Primarily, the biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb, as well as the self-perception showed moderate to large load-dependent reactions during the 7-day training camp. The biomarkers returned to baseline values two days after the last training session. Power output at lactate threshold showed a small increase, and no changes were found for other performance parameters. Conclusions: The study suggests that a multilevel approach is suitable to quantify the internal training load and that different parameters can be used to control the training process. The biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb are suitable for objectively quantifying the internal training load. The self-perception provides additional subjective information about the internal training load.

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Changes in Performance and Morning‐Measured Responses in Sport Rock Climbers

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2019-0050 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 103-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Artur Magiera ◽

Robert Roczniok ◽

Ewa Sadowska-Krępa ◽

Katarzyna Kempa

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Rock Climbing ◽

Intermediate Level ◽

The Self ◽

Hand Grip ◽

The Mean ◽

Cortisol Ratio

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine changes in climbers’ hormonal, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, sleep and fatigue status, and their relationship with performance and workloads during a sport rock climbing camp. Mean difficulty of individual leading climbing routes (mean Difficulty) was calculated for six male, intermediate level sport rock climbers participating in a 2-week camp in Orpierre. Additionally, each morning climbers were tested for: cortisol (d-Cortisol) and testosterone (d-Testosterone) concentrations, testosterone/cortisol ratio (T/C), heart rate and heart rate variability in supine (d-L-HR, d-L-SD1, d-L-SD2) and standing positions (d-S-HR, d-S-SD1, d-S-SD2), difference in S-HR and L-HR (HR-S-L), maximal voluntary hand grip strength (MVC), sleep duration (Sleep) and the self-perception of fatigue (M-Fatigue). Only M-Fatigue and d-Testosterone did not change significantly during the camp. Changes in other variables were large and significant, especially in the second week of the camp when the mean Difficulty was > 70%. The greatest changes were noted on the last day, when T/C, HR-S-L, and Sleep decreased and d-Cortisol, d-L-HR, and d-SD1 increased. The monitoring of the uncoupling of neuromuscular, hormonal, and cardiovascular markers can be instrumental in determining the level of athletes’ morning fatigue and readiness during a climbing camp. An increase in d-Cortisol and a decrease in T/C and HR-S-L are relevant indicators of overreaching in sport climbers.

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Heart rate variability predicts self‐control in goal pursuit

European Journal of Personality ◽

10.1002/per.727 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (8) ◽

pp. 623-633 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Fay C. M. Geisler ◽

Thomas Kubiak

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Goal Pursuit ◽

The Self ◽

Intelligence Test ◽

Self Control ◽

Strength Model ◽

Inhibitory Capacity ◽

Self Confidence ◽

Failure Experience

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a failure experience on the exercise of self‐control in goal pursuit. We hypothesized that tonic heart rate variability (tonic HRV), a possible physiological marker of inhibitory capacity, increases the exercise of self‐control in the pre‐ and post‐actional phase in goal pursuit after failure. Participants received feedback for an alleged intelligence test and subsequently worked on the same test again. As indicators of exercised self‐control, we assessed self‐confidence in the pre‐actional phase and rumination in the post‐actional phase. As hypothesized, tonic HRV was positively associated with pre‐ and post‐actional self‐control, even after controlling for the effect of neuroticism. We discuss the implications of our results for the self‐regulatory strength model. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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