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Landolt K, Maruff P, Horan B, Kingsley M, Kinsella G, O'Halloran PD, Hale MW, Wright BJ. Chronic work stress and decreased vagal tone impairs decision making and reaction time in jockeys. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 84:151-158. [PMID: 28732265 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.07.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The inverse relationship between acute stress and decision-making is well documented, but few studies have investigated the impact of chronic stress. Jockeys work exhaustive schedules and have extremely dangerous occupations, with safe performance requiring quick reaction time and accurate decision-making. We used the effort reward imbalance (ERI) occupational stress model to assess the relationship of work stress with indices of stress physiology and decision-making and reaction time. Jockeys (N=32) completed computerised cognitive tasks (Cogstate) on two occasions; September and November (naturally occurring lower and higher stress periods), either side of an acute stress test. Higher ERI was correlated with the cortisol awakening responses (high stress r=-0.37; low stress r=0.36), and with decrements in decision-making comparable to having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 in the high stress period (p<0.001) The LF/HF ratio of heart rate variability impacted the association of ERI with decision-making. Potentially, this may be attributed to a 'tipping point' whereby the higher ERI reported by jockeys in the high stress period decreases vagal tone, which may contribute to reduced decision-making abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Landolt
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Paul Maruff
- The Florey Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ben Horan
- School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | - Michael Kingsley
- Exercise Physiology, La Trobe Rural Health School, Bendigo, Victoria, 3552, Australia
| | - Glynda Kinsella
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Paul D O'Halloran
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Matthew W Hale
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Bradley J Wright
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
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