The Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on HPA-Axis in Pre-Competition Stress in Sports Performance of Elite Shooters
Journal Title: National Journal of Integrated Research in Medicine - Year 2011, Vol 2, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: Little has been known about the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis response to pre-competition stress (PCS) and its response to relaxation therapies such as of Mindfulness Meditation Therapy (MMT) on sports population. In shooting sports good physical as well as psychological condition is highly demanded. Researchers have been performed on the psychophysiological responses of MMT on normal and diseased persons, but little has been done on sports population especially in shooters. Objective: The purpose of current study was to estimate the contribution of MMT on Salivary Cortisol (SC), a reliable physiological marker of HPA- axis response in reducing PCS, and its effect on shooting performance (PS). Methods: 96 male elite Shooters, with mean age of 29.5±4.3years were examined as in experimental and control (48 in each). Total duration of the study was five weeks, four weeks of experimental and one week study to determine the follow-up effect. Pre, post and follow-up data of quantitative phenotypic markers of HPA-Axis activity by analysis of SC and PS were analyzed. Results: Compare to control, experimental group has shown significant result, post-intervention (p<0.001) and in follow-up (p<0.001) in SC and in PS. Resulted in reduction of PCS level and increase in PS, whereas the control group has been shown non-significant result (p<0.05).Conclusions: Results indicated that relaxation therapies such as MMT may decrease PCS and will enhance PS. It is concluded that in four weeks of MMT has an effect on HPA-Axis by decreasing the level of SC as a reliable physiological marker of PCS. [ John S NJIRM 2011; 2(3) : 15-21].
Authors and Affiliations
Dr. Shaji John, Dr. S. K Verm, Dr. G. L Khanna
Profile Of Unnatural Deaths In Bhuj (Gujarat): A Retrospective Study
Background and Objectives: After the earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat, there is great development in this region. At the same time the Unnatural deaths are also increased. We have studied the pattern of unnatural deaths and...
THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SYDENHAM’S CHOREA: A CASE REPORT
Sydenham’s chorea is a Immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system characterized by sudden, involuntary, arrhythmic, choreic, and purposeless movements. It is a nonsuppurative sequel of group A streptococcal...
An Analysis of Prescription Patterns in Cases of Uncomplicated Hypertension In A Tertiary Care Hospital
Background & objectives- Prescribing pattern in hypertension patients were found to be different from the recommended guidelines in the past. The objectives of the present study were to analyze prescribing trends in un...
Transplacental Transport of Fluoride, Calcium and Magnesium
Background: In fluorosis endemic area, the amount of fluoride transferred to the fetus is significant in determining the early onset of fluorosis. The role played by placenta in transporting fluoride and other ions whi...
Effect of Flour Dust on Lung Volumes and Capacities in Flour Mill Workers
Background And Objectives: Due to increase in industrialization, air pollution is increasing day by day. The workers working in these industries suffer from various types of air way diseases like Pneumoconiosis, Farmer...