comparison of heart rate variability and brain activation during emotional regulation in athletic groups

Stress has been implicated as a significant contributor to both mental and physical illness, and has been shown to compromise psychological well-being. Emotional regulation is the process of monitoring and adjusting emotional responses to environmental stress. Heart rate variability (HRV) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have been used as biomarkers for emotional regulation. Currently, there is a knowledge gap on the long-term effects of athletic training on changes in these biomarkers of emotional regulation. The UBC Brain Behavior Lab (BBL) and Lululemon Athletica’s Whitespace™ Innovation Team, aimed to determine if persons who practice yoga differ in HRV and brain activation (measured using fMRI), in response to emotion-evoking environmental stimuli compared to recreational athletes and varsity hockey players with no yoga background. The practice of yoga may help reduce levels of stress as individuals learn to mindfully experience emotions as they acquire the ability to separate ones’ emotions from the emotions of others and the situation at hand.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lara Boyd

Student:

Partner:

Lululemon

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Biotechnology; Education

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: