Effects of Regular Physical Activity on Galvanic Skin Resistance, Cardiovascular Parameters and Perceived Stress levels in Young Adult Females

Abstract

Present study was carried out on 60 first year MBBS students who were assigned into two Groups-Physical exercise group (n=30) and control group (n=30). Physical exercise group underwent physical activity on bicycle ergometer for 30 minutes daily for 12 weeks. Formative assessments were conducted at 6 weeks (stressor 1) and 12 weeks (stressor 2). Following recordings were taken at the baseline, stressor 1 and stressor 2: Galvanic skin resistance-basal and at the end of 5 minutes of relaxation, Heart rate, Blood pressure(BP), Pulse pressure(PP), Mean arterial blood pressure(MAP), Rate pressure product(RPP), Double product(Do P) and Perceived stress scale(PSS). In our study it was observed that in Physical exercise group there was an increase in GSR(basal) as well as GSR(at the end of 5 minutes of relaxation). There was also a significant decline in resting Heart rate and Blood pressure indices in physical exercise group. There was a significant decrease in PSS score in physical exercise group without any changes being observed in control group. Our study demonstrates that physical exercises are beneficial for the physiological and psychological wellbeing to cope up with the examination stress in medical students.