Keywords

Physical fitness, Stress (Psychology)

Abstract

Fitness level and trait anxiety were used as "independent" variables in a multiple regression study with physiological arousal and self-reported anxiety to a stressor as the "dependent" variables. Fitness level was determined by an established rating system of frequency, type, and duration of aerobic activity in which the subject reportedly engaged. Trait anxiety level was assessed by the trait portion of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Sixty undergraduate subjects were exposed to a situational stressor of reciting a memorized paragraph while viewing themselves being videotaped. Outcome measures of systolic blood pressure and self-reported distress were taken at various points throughout the study. Multiple regression/correlation was done to determine the relationship between fitness level and trait anxiety, and the relationship between systolic blood pressure and self-reports of distress. Significant finding included unique and joint contributions of fitness and trait anxiety to a lowering of Likert scale scores after the stressor. It was also found that sex and age uniquely and jointly contributed to the total change in blood pressure from the baseline to the posttreatment.

Notes

If this is your thesis or dissertation, and want to learn how to access it or for more information about readership statistics, contact us at STARS@ucf.edu

Graduation Date

1986

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Abbott, David W.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree Program

Clinical Psychology

Format

PDF

Pages

32 p.

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0019479

Contributor (Linked data)

David W. Abbott (Q57702340)

Accessibility Status

Searchable text

Download

Share

COinS