Authors : Mohita Singh, Sunil Sachdev, Amrita Singh
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijn.2019.006
Volume : 5
Issue : 2
Year : 2019
Page No : 64-68
Background: There are individual variations in response to same type of stress. Stress effects various parameters of higher mental functions such as attention, concentration, decision making, learning and memory. Stress is associated with decreased adaptability to life experiences and emotional maladjustment. The present study was designed to assess the effect of stressor on higher brain functions, stress parameters and effect of long term exercise on stress reactivity.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on thirty five healthy male volunteer students in two phases. In first phase of study, basal values and post stress values of cognitive functions and stress reactivity were assessed. In second phase of study, the subjects were again assessed after one month practice of moderate intensity physical exercise. Comparison was made on stress level between two phases. Result: In first phase, the values recorded for stress parameters including PR, SBP and DBP exhibited significant increase in value over pre stress values. Post stress result for serum cortisol was found to be non-significant. However, dual response was observed. Nineteen subjects exhibited significant increase and sixteen subjects exhibited significant decrease in post stress values over basal values. Post stress values significantly decreased for handgrip, RMT, ACT, STNT, STIT and STFT. Post stress values for ACS, STNS, STIS and STFS did not differ significantly. In second phase of study, results on stress parameters exhibited significant reduction in response and improvement in cognitive functions to stressor after one month practice of MIPE.
Conclusion: Stress response decreases after one month practice of MIPE.
Keywords: Stressor, Cognitive functions, Moderate intensity physical exercise, Stress response, Attention concentration span.