Psychological and physiological effects of an acute bout of yoga before a simulated academic exam in university students.
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| Title: | Psychological and physiological effects of an acute bout of yoga before a simulated academic exam in university students. |
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| Authors: | Thomson, Cynthia J., Lesser, Iris A., Hatfield, Gillian L. |
| Source: | Journal of American College Health. Jul2025, Vol. 73 Issue 6, p2518-2528. 11p. |
| Subjects: | Treatment of psychological stress, Psychology of college students, Saliva analysis, Visual analog scale, Statistical sampling, Educational tests & measurements, Treatment effectiveness, Exercise intensity, Randomized controlled trials, Yoga, Simulation methods in education, Crossover trials, Heart beat, Test anxiety, Comparative studies, Nursing students |
| Abstract: | Objective: Test anxiety is common among nursing students. Yoga is one form of physical activity which may be beneficial for pretest anxiety. Participants: Thirteen undergraduate students (85% nursing majors, 15% awaiting program entry, 20 ± 4.9 years of age) completed the crossover design study. Methods: Participants completed a yoga or control intervention (independent quiet study) on opposing testing days. At three time points, participants provided ratings of anxiety (visual analog scales), saliva samples for cortisol and alpha amylase, and seated heart rate variability (HRV, time and frequency domains) was recorded. Results: Yoga prior to a simulated exam had a positive impact on subjective measures of stress but did not positively impact cortisol or HRV compared to the control condition. Conclusions: There may be benefits to participating in 30 min of moderate intensity yoga for reduced perception of stress before a scholarly examination. Further research regarding the impacts of acute yoga on physiological measures of HRV and/or cortisol are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Objective: Test anxiety is common among nursing students. Yoga is one form of physical activity which may be beneficial for pretest anxiety. Participants: Thirteen undergraduate students (85% nursing majors, 15% awaiting program entry, 20 ± 4.9 years of age) completed the crossover design study. Methods: Participants completed a yoga or control intervention (independent quiet study) on opposing testing days. At three time points, participants provided ratings of anxiety (visual analog scales), saliva samples for cortisol and alpha amylase, and seated heart rate variability (HRV, time and frequency domains) was recorded. Results: Yoga prior to a simulated exam had a positive impact on subjective measures of stress but did not positively impact cortisol or HRV compared to the control condition. Conclusions: There may be benefits to participating in 30 min of moderate intensity yoga for reduced perception of stress before a scholarly examination. Further research regarding the impacts of acute yoga on physiological measures of HRV and/or cortisol are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 07448481 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/07448481.2024.2308267 |
