26th Annual Student Research Conference
An Exploration of Anxiety and Stretching
Cassandra L. Rodden* and Sarah R. Mogus
Dr. Michael Bird, Dr. Jennifer R. Hurst, and Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Faculty Mentors
The objective of this study was to determine whether stretching would affect anxiety levels. Subjects consisted of college-aged athletes (n=15, age =18-23 years). In the first session, subjects completed a Trait Anxiety Questionnaire and then HR was monitored before and after sitting, then stretching for seven minutes. In the second session, subjects completed a State Anxiety Questionnaire and HR was recorded before and after sitting, stretching, and warm up. Data from the first session of the study showed HR taken after stretching was significantly lower than HR taken before any activity (8.32.6 bpm, p<0.05 ) and HR taken after stretching was significantly lower than HR taken after sitting(3.51.4 bpm, p<0.05). No significant changes were found concerning anxiety measures. Stretching appears to have some effect on HR, an indication of arousal, and this may impact the performance of the athlete.
Keywords: stretching, anxiety, performance
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Psychology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 106-5
Location: MG 1098
Time: 9:00