Cognitively-demanding physical activity enhances resilience to anxiety and females are more resilient in some environments

dc.contributor.authorDudok, Stephanie A
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeMackenzie, Corey (Psychology)en_US
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeCornish, Stephen (Kinesiology and Recreation Management)en_US
dc.contributor.supervisorIvanco, Tammy (Psychology)en_US
dc.date.accessioned2018-09-13T20:12:46Z
dc.date.available2018-09-13T20:12:46Z
dc.date.issued2018en_US
dc.date.submitted2018-08-25T03:20:42Zen
dc.degree.disciplinePsychologyen_US
dc.degree.levelMaster of Arts (M.A.)en_US
dc.description.abstractPhysical activity induces plastic changes in the brain to enhance resilience to stress and anxiety, but unknown is whether quality of the activity matters. The present study examined whether cognitively-demanding physical activity differentially promotes resilience to anxiety, compared with regular or no physical activity. Subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental condition over four weeks: A- physical activity, B- cognitively-demanding physical activity, and C- sedentary. Three behaviour tests were administered to elicit anxiety-like responses. Group A displayed less feeding suppression in a novel environment, an effect moderated by sex. Group B displayed fewer anxiety-like behaviours compared to sedentary controls in an elevated plus maze. Females displayed fewer anxiety-like behaviours than males in light-dark boxes whether or not they were physically active. These findings demonstrate physical activity enhances resilience to the behavioural consequences of anxiety, particularly when activity is enriched with cognitive elements. Sex differences exist, with resilience dependent on environment.en_US
dc.description.noteOctober 2018en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1993/33355
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsopen accessen_US
dc.subjectAnxietyen_US
dc.subjectResilienceen_US
dc.subjectPhysical activityen_US
dc.subjectExerciseen_US
dc.subjectPlasticityen_US
dc.subjectCognitionen_US
dc.subjectCognitively-demandingen_US
dc.subjectBehavioursen_US
dc.titleCognitively-demanding physical activity enhances resilience to anxiety and females are more resilient in some environmentsen_US
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
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