Abstract

The effects of relaxation training on the hormonal and psychical responses to stress were studied in 9 senior judoists members of the national representation, and in 17 students. Four other students served as the control group. A horror movie was used as stressor for students, and solving intelligence and concentration tests - for judoists. The stressors were applied on 2 occasions: before and after a relaxation training lasting 16-18 days. The daily training sessions lasted 25-30 each; towards the end of the training 2 sessions daily were run. Students from the control group did not undergo the relaxation training. On each occasion, all the subjects underwent psychological examinations before and after exposition to stress. Similarly, the activity of the adrenergic and the pituitary-adrenal system was assessed by measuring free urinary catecholamines and cortisol. The students before the relaxation training reacted to stress by significant increases of catecholamine and cortisol excretion and of the situational anxiety. No such changes were observed following the training. In control students (not undergoing the relaxation training) increases in catecholamine excretion and in anxiety level were observed on both occasions. Judoists reacted to stress, both before and after the training, by an increase in catecholamine excretion only. The presented results suggests that relaxation training is helpful in countering and controlling negative emotions. Verf.-Referat