The effects of exercise on cardiovascular reactivity and recovery to daily hassles
Date
2009-05
Authors
White, Kristin A.
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Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of exercise and gender on cardiovascular reactivity, specifically systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR), and recovery to daily hassles. Design: Participants completed three, 10-minute periods: a baseline condition, an interview in which they were asked to describe and discuss a daily hassle, and a recovery period, while SBP, DBP, and HR were recorded. Means for the three measures were calculated for these periods and differences between gender and exercise levels were evaluated while controlling for anger expression and body mass index (BMI). Results and Conclusion: Those that exercised had a significantly slower SBP and DBP recovery. Additionally, there was a marginally significant interaction between gender and exercise on SBP, DBP and HR reactivity; however, no other effects were found. While exercise was not found to directly interact with cardiovascular reactivity when individuals recounted daily hassles, the interaction of exercise with gender implies some moderating effect of exercise on cardiovascular reactivity; however, further research is necessary. That exercise was significantly related to cardiovascular recovery suggests that exercise can buffer cardiovascular responses to minor stressors, which might reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Description
Keywords
cardiovascular system, stress management, exercise
Citation
White, K. A. (2009). The effects of exercise on cardiovascular reactivity and recovery to daily hassles (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.