An 'Analysis of the Relationship of Neurological Activity to Physical Exertion.

Abstract

This study demonstrated some of the effects physical exertion has on Neurological activity. The research was made at the U.S. Naval Academy and sampled 77 midshipmen. Spectral analysis of EEG recordings made before and after exercise showed a significant reduction in high frequency content - greater than 60 Hz - for all of 77 midshipmen, who underwent the 'Harvard Step Test'. -- Since other studies show that high frequency content in brain waves is related to anxiety, these results suggest that exercise can temporarily reduce anxiety. Cross correlation was used to measure the time delay between a visual sensory stimulus and the resulting evoked potential as measured by scalp mounted electrodes for both - the right and left - hemispheres before and after exercise. This time delay - termed 'Throughput latency' or TPL - was unaffected by physical exertion, and or physical fatigue. Correlations were then run between the grade point averages (QPR) of the 77 midshipmen and their TPL's as well as their verbal, math and combined college board scores. -- The results indicated that throughput latency is as good an indicator of college performance as measured by QPR as are the college board scores. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 22, 1975
Accession Number
ADA015956

Entities

People

  • Charles A. Hill

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Brain Waves
  • Cross Correlation
  • Electrodes
  • Electrophysiological Phenomena
  • Frequency
  • Hemispheres
  • Indicators
  • Throughput
  • United States Naval Academy

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.