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Motor preparation aspects of cardiovascular reactivity to psychological challenge.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Sherwood, A; Allen, MT; Murrell, D; Obrist, PA
Published in: Int J Psychophysiol
November 1988

Neural control of the circulation has evolved in such a way that behavioral responses to psychological stress may be accompanied by a dramatic activation of the cardiovascular system. This study was designed to address the hypothesis that such instances of cardiovascular mobilization reflect a functional motor preparation response. Twenty-four healthy young men participated in reaction time (RT) tasks which involved responding by squeezing a handgrip dynamometer. Motor preparation demands were manipulated by varying the temporal predictability of response requirements as well as the physical effort involved in responding, while controlling for other factors previously established to influence cardiovascular reactivity to psychologically challenging tasks. Physiological response measurements included heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen consumption. Increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure during the RT tasks showed a general pattern which was consistent with the predictions of the motor preparation hypothesis, with the greatest elevations occurring in association with low temporal predictability and high physical effort. The possibility is discussed that factors such as incentives and elements of uncertainty may influence cardiovascular reactivity by accentuating behavioral arousal, of which motor preparation may be an inextricable component.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Int J Psychophysiol

DOI

ISSN

0167-8760

Publication Date

November 1988

Volume

6

Issue

4

Start / End Page

263 / 272

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Set, Psychology
  • Reaction Time
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Physical Exertion
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Heart Rate
  • Experimental Psychology
  • Blood Pressure
 

Citation

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Sherwood, A., Allen, M. T., Murrell, D., & Obrist, P. A. (1988). Motor preparation aspects of cardiovascular reactivity to psychological challenge. Int J Psychophysiol, 6(4), 263–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8760(88)90013-x
Sherwood, A., M. T. Allen, D. Murrell, and P. A. Obrist. “Motor preparation aspects of cardiovascular reactivity to psychological challenge.Int J Psychophysiol 6, no. 4 (November 1988): 263–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8760(88)90013-x.
Sherwood A, Allen MT, Murrell D, Obrist PA. Motor preparation aspects of cardiovascular reactivity to psychological challenge. Int J Psychophysiol. 1988 Nov;6(4):263–72.
Sherwood, A., et al. “Motor preparation aspects of cardiovascular reactivity to psychological challenge.Int J Psychophysiol, vol. 6, no. 4, Nov. 1988, pp. 263–72. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/0167-8760(88)90013-x.
Sherwood A, Allen MT, Murrell D, Obrist PA. Motor preparation aspects of cardiovascular reactivity to psychological challenge. Int J Psychophysiol. 1988 Nov;6(4):263–272.
Journal cover image

Published In

Int J Psychophysiol

DOI

ISSN

0167-8760

Publication Date

November 1988

Volume

6

Issue

4

Start / End Page

263 / 272

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Set, Psychology
  • Reaction Time
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Physical Exertion
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Heart Rate
  • Experimental Psychology
  • Blood Pressure