Stress

Question 1

Define Stress and its subtypes

Answer 1

Stress is a state of disharmony or threatened homeostasis that occurs when we face challenges
– can be external (environmental) or internal (physiological)
– can produce distress (negative) or eustress (positive)

Question 2

Define Homeostasis

Answer 2

the ability to change and stabilize one’s internal environment despite constant changes to the external environment

Question 3

Define allostasis

Answer 3

achieving stability through change; the balance of essential coping/adaptation systems
– “cost of coping”

Question 4

What are the three phases of General Adaptation Syndrome?

Answer 4

1. Arousal and Alarm
2. Resistance
3. Exhaustion

Question 5

What is the role of perception in the stress response?

Answer 5

2 levels of appraisal:
1. Initial appraisal – assess importance and potential demand of the situation
2. Secondary appraisal – assess one’s resources to cope with the situation
– may result in revision of the IA

Differing perceptions of control can elicit different neuroendocrine responses
– high perception of control = active coping mechanisms
– low perception of control = passive coping mechanisms

Question 6

What is the Cross-Stressor Adaptation Hypothesis?

Answer 6

Exposure to a stressor of sufficient intensity/duration will cause an adaptation to stress responses systems and decrease their sensitivity

Question 7

How does exercise develop cross-stressor tolerance? (2)

Answer 7

1. Habituation
   – decreased magnitude of response to some familiar challenge
2. Sensitization
   – desensitization

Question 8

What are common stressor tasks used in research?

Answer 8

– Active stressors – control over the outcome

   1. Stroop test
   2. Mental Arithmetic
   3. Reaction time

– Passive Stressors – no control of the outcome

   1. movie that elicits emotional reaction
   2. Exposure to unpleasant/aversive sounds

Question 9

What are common measurements of stress? (3)

Answer 9

1. Subjective measurements of perceived stress include self-reported measures such as the perceived stress scale’
2. Heart rate and blood pressure
3. Hormonal measurements such as catecholalines and cortisol

Question 10

What are the general findings linking physical activity and stress? (4)

Answer 10

1. Cardiovascular fitness
2. HPA Cortical Axis response
3. Immunity
4. Reactivity vs. recovery

Question 11

Human Exercise-Stress Research – Cardiovascular fitness

Answer 11

–inconsistencies on stress-buffering effects
– Aerobic fitness may lead to stress-buffering effects to psychosocial stressors
– Absolute Reactivity
– Relative reactivity
– Lower RHR increases amount of time you spend in the stable zone

Question 12

Human Exercise-Stress Research – HPA Cortical Axis Response

Answer 12

Physical activity appears to have faster effects on the SNS – reduced production of cortisol

Question 13

Human Exercise-Stress Research –Immunity

Answer 13

As fitness increased, stress-related inflammatory responses decreased

Question 14

Reactivity vs. recovery

Answer 14

faster recovery once the stressor is remvoed

Question 15

What is the Physiologic Toughness Model

Answer 15

Intermittent, but regular, exposure to stressors result in various physiological changes
– If event is perceived as a challenge = enhancement of catecholamine response
– More energy, confidence
– If event is perceived as a threat = enhancement of cortisol response
– More tension, anxiety and stress

Question 16

How Kelly McGonigal has changed her viewpoint on stress

Answer 16

1. How we perceive stress is important
2. Mechanism for stress resilience
   – Pituitary gland releases oxytocin during stress response, which …
   – acts as a vasodilator, anti-inflammatory
   – pushes you to find social support

Question 17

What is Yoga? What has it been reported as beneficial for? (4)

Answer 17

Yoga is an ancient science and philosophy that entails physical and mental practices that strengthen and harmonize the body, mind and spirit and has been reported to be beneficial for:
– Enhancing self-esteem
– Reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety and anger
– eating disorders, post-tramautic stress and attention deficit
– supportive for patients with cancer, chronic pain, digestive disorders and hypertension

Question 18

Brems (2015)

Answer 18

Purpose was to…

   1. Examine the feasibility of yoga in the academic workplace as a regular practice
   2. Assess whether yoga can reduce perceived stress

Methods
– reflection on the yoga and application of it
– perceived stress scale – measured self-reported stress
– psychological and physical stress indicator – how often experienced symptoms in last 30 days
– Perceptions of yoga practice – importance and confidence

Results
– Significant reductions in perceived stress and their associated physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms
– provided stress management and coping skills

Question 19

What were the recommendations Brems (2015) made for his yoga study? (3)

Answer 19

1. Bing yoga to the people
2. make it a group event
3. facilitate instructor that provides verbal and physical connection and guidance