Comparison of the effects of two types of progressive muscle relaxation (7 and 16 muscle groups) on selected psychophysiological and psychomotor parameters following repeated sub-maximal intensity exercise in young athletes

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Date
2013-06
Authors
Syed Mud Puad, Sharifah Maimunah
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
The present study was undertaken with an objective to compare the effectiveness of two types of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) (7 and 16 muscle groups) on selected psychophysiological and psychomotor parameters following repeated sub-maximal intensity exercise. Twenty six physically active young males with the mean age 13.4 ± 0.5 years old, weight 50.8 ± 8.1 kg, BMI 19.2 ± 1.7 kg.m ¹, VO2max 54.48 ± 6.67 ml.kg ¹.min ¹ and HRmax 201.7 ± 1.5 beats.min ¹ participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 8) and two intervention groups: 16 muscle groups Progressive Muscle Relaxation (n = 9) and 7 muscle groups Progressive Muscle Relaxation (n = 9). Each participant was tested in three experimental sessions; pre-intervention, midintervention (after 6 sessions of relaxation training) and post-intervention (after 12 sessions of relaxation training). In every experimental evaluation, muscle electrical activity (EMG) and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) were measured. For parameters such as oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), choice reaction time, and concentration, the measurements were conducted only on experimental evaluation 1 and experimental evaluation 3. Experimental evaluations 1 and 3 consist of four trials, where subjects had to run at 60% VO max for 10 minutes followed by 90% VO2max for 2 minutes in each trial. VO2, heart rate and RPE were recorded at the end of each trial. Then, it was followed by 3 minutes resting interval where choice reaction time and concentration (grid test) were measured. Participants from the intervention groups attended the relaxation training program for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. The results of two-way repeated measure ANOVA revealed a significant (p < 0.05) interaction between groups across the experimental sessions in heart rate, GSR mean of tonic skin conductance (Sc), choice reaction time, and concentration grid test. Pair wise comparison analysis revealed a significant improvement in heart rate and concentration grid test for both intervention groups compare to control group. After 12 sessions of PMR training, 16 muscle groups PMR subjects showed a significant improvement in GSR mean of tonic skin conductance (Sc) and choice reaction time compare to control group. However, the results revealed a non significant (p > 0.05) interaction between the groups across the experimental sessions in other parameters. While the results reported previously focused on the long-term effect, the immediate effect of the PMR training showed that 16 muscle groups PMR subjects has significantly lower SFs compare to control group. Besides that, both intervention groups improved ScAL after training session. The results also showed that control group takes significantly longer Ts from pre to post test. However, there were no significant interactions in Ss, Sc and coping response. In conclusion, 12 sessions of 16 muscle groupsPMR training lead to significant improvements in heart rate, GSR mean of tonic skin conductance, choice reaction time and concentration ability. Besides that, it also has better immediate effect after practicing technique.
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Keywords
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
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