Honors Theses
Date of Award
2006
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Michael Allen
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to assess the relationships of breathingassociated heart rate variability and measures of impulsivity using EKG-derived heart rate, the BaiTatt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), and the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II). To measure activity level as a proxy for fitness. activity monitors were worn by most participants and all participants completed the International Physical Activity Questiomiaire (IPAQ). Fifty-two college students (23 male and 29 female, ages 18-22) participated in the study. Auscultatory blood pressure, EKG-derived heart rate, and mean successive difference of interbeat intervals were collected during 2 ten-minute rest periods and during the CPT-II. Participants were then asked to wear an activity monitor for 24 hours. It was hypothesized that (1) the measures of impulsivity generated by the Barratt would be significantly correlated with CPT-II- derived impulsivity measures; (2) the self-report and activity measures of activity level would both accurately track an individual’s activity; (3) Heart rate variability during either rest or task periods would show significant relationships with impulsivity in males only. No significant correlations were found between the BIS-11 and the CPT-II, and no significant correlations were found between measures of the IPAQ and the activity monitor. A significant positive correlation was found between the number of commissions on the CPT-II and resting HRV, a result opposite from that predicted based upon previous studies. This was found for males only. No significant correlations were found for HRV measures and impulsivity for all participants combined or for females alone. These results suggest a complex relationship between HRV and impulsivity.
Recommended Citation
Laird, Laura Katie, "The Effects of Heart Rate Variability, Measures of Impulsivity, and Activity Level in College Students" (2006). Honors Theses. 2231.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/2231
Accessibility Status
Searchable text