The effect of acute breathing interventions on physical, emotional and behavioural responses to a stressful situation.

Athletes who regularly use relaxation strategies have been are better able to interpret stress and anxiety symptoms as beneficial to performance. Intentional breathing is a relaxation strategy that applies positive and quick effects on the body physiological and perceived stress response, such as reducing heart rate and anxiety. The goal of this study is to explore the effect of intentional short breathing strategies in a known anxiety-inducing scenario to decrease symptoms of stress and anxiety under conditions of pressure and threat. Specifically, compared to a control condition, we are aiming to measure how the known physiological effects of intentional breathing strategies can help athletes compared to non-athletes control and regulate physical, psychological, and behavioural reactions to stressful conditions. The findings from this research will be used to curate proven acute breathing strategies for athlete and on-athletes to use in stressful situations. This work will position Canada’s leading universities and corporations at the cutting edge of our understanding of the human physiological and perceptual response to stress and provide effectie strategies to implement in stress-inducing situations.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mark Carpenter

Student:

Partner:

Lululemon

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing; Retail trade

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: