Visuo-spatial path learning, stress, and cortisol secretion following military cadets’ first parachute jump: the effect of increasing task complexity

Abstract

The present field experiment examined how multi-trial visuo-spatial learning and memory performance are impacted by excessive arousal, instigated by a potentially life-threatening event (i.e., a first parachute jump). Throughout a parachute training activity, subjective and neuroendocrine (i.e., cortisol) stress levels were assessed of 61 male military cadets who were randomly assigned to a control (n = 30) or a jump stress condition (n = 31). Poststress learning and memory capacity was assessed with a 10-trial path-learning task that permitted emergence of learning curves. Pre-activity cortisol concentrations indicated a significant neuroendocrine anticipatory stress response in the stress group. Following parachuting, subjective stress levels and salivary cortisol reactivity differed significantly between groups. Visuo-spatial path-learning performance was impaired significantly after jump stress exposure, relative to the control group. Moreover, examination of the learning curves showed similar learning and memory performance at onset of the trials, with curves bifurcating as the task became more complex. These findings are in accordance with leading theories that acknowledge a moderating effect of task complexity. In sum, the present study extends knowledge concerning anticipatory stress effects, endogenously instigated cortisol reactivity, and the influence of extreme arousal on visuo-spatial path learning.

State anxiety and cortisol reactivity to skydiving in novice versus experienced skydivers

“…These findings align with previous observations that skydiving increases cortisol levels in both experienced [15], and novice [7,8,9] skydivers. However, our study is the first to directly compare cortisol reactivity to skydiving in novice versus experienced skydivers.…”

“…For example, skydiving leads to activation of both the SAM and HPA axis, as evidenced by post-jump increases in the SAM axis biomarker salivary  amylase and cortisol respectively in novice jumpers [7,8]. Similarly, other factors which are associated with activation of the SAM axis, such as increased heat rate [9,10] and symptoms of hyperarousal, (e.g.…”

Masculinity as a barrier to men's use of HIV services in Zimbabwe

“…The problem of 'male-unfriendly' services is not confined to the HIV/AIDS field. In their critique of international health services research, Lee and Owens [16] identify a general tendency to neglect the socio-cultural and geo-political influences on men's health-related behaviours, arguing that such a neglect often implies that men's poor health-service uptake is down to individual choice. It is against this background, and in our interest to advance HIV services for men, that we explore how masculinity serves as a barrier to men's uptake of HIV testing and treatment services in Zimbabwe and highlight the pathways through which some men manage to resist hegemonic masculinities and enroll onto ART.…”

Heart rate variability and critical flicker fusion frequency changes during and after parachute jumping in experienced skydivers

“…These more accurate measurements of the time domain of HRV lead us to consider the hormonal response to be responsible for these. The cortisol response is indeed significant at the time of jump but clearly peaks after the jump as pointed out by many authors (Taverniers et al 2011;Hare et al 2013;Deinzer et al 1997).…”

“…Parachute jumping is considered as a "real-world acute emotional stress" or "life-threatening" event (Mujica-Parodi et al 2009a, b;Dikecligil and Mujica-Parodi 2010) and thus commonly used as a model to assess the physiological mechanisms involved in the acute stress response (Dikecligil and Mujica-Parodi 2010; Hare et al 2013). In particular, free fall has been studied in beginners with the scope of understanding psychological rather than environmental stress (Chatterton et al 1997;Dikecligil and Mujica-Parodi 2010;Roth et al 1996;Hare et al 2013;Taverniers et al 2011;Cavenett and Nixon 2006). During parachute jumping, it seems well admitted that the steady-state response to the stress exposure is an increase in heart rate (HR) (Shane and Slinde 1968;Reid et al 1971;Schedlowski and Tewes 1992;Roth et al 1996).…”