ESRC Programme Grant 2008-2012

Physiological correlates of emotion self-regulation during prolonged cycling performanceAndy Lane

University of Wolverhamptonhttp://www.erosresearch.org/

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/1Hi! Today Im going to present an overview of a program of research conducted by myself and my coworkers that focuses on the use and effects of a particular type of em reg across a range service-type organisations incl a supermarket, a home sellers agency, and a high-security prison

And the research is part of a wider project called EROS: Em Reg of Others and Self.

IntroductionGoal-pursuit activities such as athletic competition are associated with intense emotions (Terry & Lane, 2000)

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/2IntroductionProlonged intense exercise associated with perceived exertion (Crewe et al., 2008)Athletes competing in prolonged endurance events experience intense emotions (Baron et al., 2009; Linderman et al., 2003).

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/3Experienced athletes develop a stable template of the power outputs they are able to sustainfor different durations of exercise but it is not known how they originally develop thistemplate nor how that template changes with training and experience

Inexperienced athletes are unable to pace themselves effectively,2, 3 whereas it is well knownthat well-trained athlete show superior ability in this complex skill.4 Elite athletes optimallymonitor the intensity of exercise in order that their energy-producing capacities are notexhausted before they reach the finish line.5

Indeed, RPE is well known to be related to chest and active massmuscle parameters,18, 58, 59 as well as heart rate,60-64 oxygen consumption,63 respiratory rateand minute ventilation,65 blood lactate concentrations 66 and muscular strain.63, 67-69Importantly, no single physiological parameter predicts the RPE during exercise indicatingthat this is a complex system phenomenon.58 Indeed the complexity of this system isconfirmed by the finding that the RPE rises as a linear function of the exercise duration.70

This is supported by numerous studies which show that affective responses are dependent onthe intensity of exercise. Affective valence remains positive (pleasant) in low-intensityconditions whereas higher intensities are associated with less favourable affective responses(unpleasant).71-73 Hence, as the exercise intensity increases, the RPE rises progressivelywhereas positive affective responses decrease. Likewise, RPE increases when a constantexercise intensity is maintained until fatigue.20, 74 Thus logically, the relative proportion ofpositive and negative affective responses must decrease when exercise is performed untilexhaustion.

According to the Central Governor Model, exercise pace is regulated by thebrain so that physiological systems are never taxed to failure but are maintainedwithin homeostatic limits, even at the point of exhaustion.1-4 The CentralGovernor Model distinguishes between the sensation of fatigue, described as theconscious perception of changes in body functions,5 and efferent muscularcontrol, described as a subconscious feed-forward mechanism.3 The fatiguesensation experienced during exhaustive exercise is a protective mechanismwhich overrides any conscious desire to increase exercise intensity if theincrease would threaten homeostasis.3 Instead of allowing complete musclerecruitment during voluntary exercise,1 2 6 7 the central governor allegedlymaintains a substantial motor reserve.Figure 2 is a graph of a female explorer completing an expedition to the South Pole.

Vigour and fatigue fluctuate during repeated bouts of hard exercise; endurance athletes should expect to feel intense fatigue and learn strategies to cope.

Both athletes report fatigue, but one athlete is fatigued and happy and the other is fatigued and angry

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/4Emotions and emotion regulationIf emotions experienced in sport influence the goal attainment, then strategies to manage emotions during competition become important (Terry, 1995).

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/5102 106Glucose(mg/dL)Control AttentionWatch Normally104100Using self-control lowers blood glucose (Gailliot et al., 2007)Regulating emotions is effortful (Baumeister & Muraven, 2000)

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/6Depletion did not increase urge; depletion undermined restraint/self-controlHypothetical relationship between resource depletion, exercise and regulation

Use of resourcesTime to exhaustion

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/7Two athletes working at the same intensity

Time to exhaustionUse of Resources (arbitrary values)Key point Individuals who regulate emotion use physiological resources to a greater extent

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/8Key pointIf emotion regulation is an effortful process (Muraven & Baumeister, 2000), then it uses the same physiological resources that are required for performance.

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/9PurposeIn this study, we hypothesized that cyclists who experience unpleasant emotional states during performance would concurrently experience a depletion of physiological resources due to unsuccessful regulatory efforts.

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/10MethodParticipantsWell-trained cyclists (N= 28) Age range 18 35 years Weekly training hours; M = 14.23, SD =1.23 hoursVO2 Max. M = 65.6 (SD = 7 ml/kg/min.)Threshold wattage 226.7 (SD = 28.3 watts)

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/11EmotionsEmotion was assessed using the Brunel Mood Rating Scale (Terry et al., 1999, 2003). A short version of the Profile of Mood States (McNair et al, 1971)The Brunel Mood Rating Scale assesses Anger, Confusion, Depression, Fatigue, Tension and VigourTerry et al. (1999, 2003) reported a rigorous validation procedure for use in sport.Confirmatory factor analysisCriterion validity A right now response timeframe was used.

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/12MethodParticipants completed a 100-mile cycle performance in laboratory conditions at an speed equivalent to lactate threshold.

Lactate threshold was determined a week earlier using an incremental cycling test.A stationary cycle ergometer rig (Kingcycle, High Wycombe, UK) was used.

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/13ResultsEmotion data indicated significant changes over time.All athletes reported fluctuations in vigour and fatigue.14 cases reported increases in anger, confusion, depression, and tension. Data divided into two groups; unpleasant emotion group and no symptoms of unpleasant emotion group (Lane & Terry, 2000)

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/14Results

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/15By contrast, among individuals reporting positive mood, ventilation rates were lower during exercise and increased sharply before exhaustion.Unpleasant mood was associated with a significant increase in ventilation rate during the middle and later stages and reduction shortly before volatile exhaustion, suggesting that earlier emotion-regulation efforts were costly.

ANOVA to assess the effect of unpleasant mood on changes in physiological variables indicated a significant interaction effect for changes in ventilation rate:F 6,21=3.09,P =.03, Partial Eta2=.47

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/16

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/17DiscussionRegulating unpleasant emotions during intense exercise appears effortful (Gaillot et al., 2007).This appears to contribute to using physiological resources also used for performance.Athletes who maintained positive emotions states during performance were able to increase efforts toward the end of performance

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/18Unpacking unpleasant emotionsAn emotional state of high fatigue coupled with feeling angry, anxious and downhearted is different to feeling fatigued only (Lane & Terry, 2000).Increased fatigue and decreased vigour is the typical response to long-duration exercise (Baron et al., 2009; Crewe et al., 2008; Eston et al., 2007)

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/19cont.Athletes learn to expect to feel increasing sensations of fatigue (Baron et al., 2009).Vigour and fatigue most likely index to usage and replenishment of physiological resourcesAthletes who carbohydrate feed during exercise typically report lower perceived exertion, or can exercise at a higher intensity for longer (Atkinson et al, 2007)Experienced athletes use affective responses to judge pacing strategies (Micklewright et al., 2009).

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/20cont.Intentionally slowing down to regulate fatigue can evoke unpleasant emotions such as downhearted due to anticipating failure to attain performance goals (Baron et al., 2009; Carver & Scheier, 1990).Athletes regulate unpleasant emotions by focusing on the task at hand (Stevinson & Biddle, 1998). In the present study, this involved in increasing effort by increasing rate of breathing.

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/21ConclusionsFindings offer preliminary support for the notion that emotion regulation during exercise is effortfulFuture research is needed to investigate this effect with stricter experimental control.

Emotion Regulation of Others and Selfhttp://www.erosresearch.org/22Chart37.007.007.003.0016.000.0010.000.0012.005.0013.009.0013.0012.005.009.001.008.0011.005.0013.006.008.003.002.008.006.003.0010.003.009.003.0010.004.000.009.0010.001.008.004.000.000.003.0014.000.0011.0010.008.003.009.000.0016.002.0016.000.0016.001.0012.00D40D402.0013.001.0016.005.0016.000.0016.00

VIGFATTimeFigure 2: Vigour and Fatigue of female explorer during an expedition to the South Pole

Sheet1Descriptive StatisticsMeanStd. DeviationMSDTension4.602.121.793.90Vigour11.004.246.004.89Confusion0.500.850.671.76Fatigue0.801.238.035.34Depression1.201.322.153.52Anger0.200.421.822.44

Chart113.001.004.8611.002.000.002.000.009.720.000.0011.1015.001.008.530.003.0011.800.000.0010.900.000.0010.900.001.0011.100.000.0012.200.002.0015.006.007.0015.200.004.0018.100.000.0012.600.000.0017.000.003.0017.500.000.0017.100.007.0017.601.005.0017.301.000.0019.500.002.0019.300.000.0018.503.000.0019.000.001.0016.500.000.0020.704.000.0015.700.009.0018.900.000.0018.900.000.0011.70D40D4015.500.001.0018.503.005.0017.500.004.0017.300.002.0017.20

TENANGMileageDaysTension and Anger during the expedition

Sheet2D1D2D3D5D6D9D11D12D13D14D15D17D20D21D22D23D24D25D29D30D31D32D33D34D35D36D37D38D39D40D41D42D43D44TEN13.0011.002.000.0015.000.000.000.000.000.000.006.000.000.000.000.000.000.001.001.000.000.003.000.000.004.000.000.000.000.003.000.000.00ANG1.002.000.000.001.003.000.000.001.000.002.007.004.000.000.003.000.007.005.000.002.000.000.001.000.000.009.000.000.001.005.004.002.00Mileage4.860.009.7211.108.5311.8010.9010.9011.1012.2015.0015.2018.1012.6017.0017.5017.1017.6017.3019.5019.3018.5019.0016.5020.7015.7018.9018.9011.7015.5018.5017.5017.3017.20D1D2D3D5D6D9D11D12D13D14D15D17D20D21D22D23D24D25D29D30D31D32D33D34D35D36D37D38D39D40D41D42D43D44VIG7.007.0016.0010.0012.0013.0013.005.001.0011.0013.008.002.006.0010.009.0010.000.0010.008.000.003.000.0010.003.000.002.000.001.002.001.005.000.00FAT7.003.000.000.005.009.0012.009.008.005.006.003.008.003.003.003.004.009.001.004.000.0014.0011.008.009.0016.0016.0016.0012.0013.0016.0016.0016.00Mileage4.860.009.7211.108.5311.8010.9010.9011.1012.2015.0015.2018.1012.6017.0017.5017.1017.6017.3019.5019.3018.5019.0016.5020.7015.7018.9018.9011.7015.5018.5017.5017.3017.20D1D2D3D5D6D9D11D12D13D14D15D17D20D21D22D23D24D25D29D30D31D32D33D34D35D36D37D38D39D40D41D42D43D44DEP1.005.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.000.001.006.009.001.000.000.000.003.000.001.003.000.000.000.007.001.002.000.000.000.003.0013.0012.00CON4.001.001.000.003.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.001.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.001.000.002.009.00Mileage4.860.009.7211.108.5311.8010.9010.9011.1012.2015.0015.2018.1012.6017.0017.5017.1017.6017.3019.5019.3018.5019.0016.5020.7015.7018.9018.9011.7015.5018.5017.5017.3017.20

Sheet20.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

VIGFATTimeVigour and Fatigue During the expedition

Sheet30.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

DEPCONDaysDepression and Confusion during the expedition

Chart1136.429140.231139.071144.615142.714147143.5150.846152153.385153.714155.385

Unpleasant emotionPositive emotionMinsbeats per minHeart rate changes over time by mood group

Sheet1Unpleasant emotionPositive emotion30136.429140.23160139.071144.61590142.714147120143.5150.846150152153.385Exhaustion153.714155.385