Petra Dolenc, Tjaša Dimec, Matej Tušak, and Rado Pišot, Institute of Kinesiology Research, Science and Research Centre of Koper, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia, Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the effects of head-down bed rest on psychological well-being in
young healthy subjects.
Head-down tilting bed rest (BR) is a well-accepted method by which to simulate an acute stage of
human adaptation to the microgravity in space flights and also an important model to study consequences
of physical inactivity and sedentarism on human body. The subject participating in the study were ten
healthy males aged between 20 and 30 who were exposed to a 35-day strict rest in hospital environment.
The participants were asked to complete psychometrical inventories – General Health Questionnaire,
Satisfaction with Life Scale, State Anxiety Inventory, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression
Scale and Emotional States Questionnaire – on before and after the BR experiment.
There were no significant differences in examined psychological variables between pre and post
BR period. Research results do not show any adverse effects of a prolonged physical inactivity on
perception of health and psychological well-being of selected group of subjects.
The importance of this research was to provide evidence that the provision of favourable
habitability countermeasures can prevent deterioration in the psychological state under conditions of
physical immobilisation. Our findings applied value in the field of health prevention and rehabilitaion.
Research of psychological and cognitive aspects within bed rest studies deserves special attention
and consideration in the future. Psychic balance and emotional strength have undoubtedly an important
role in reducing the consequences of physical impairment and physiological changes due to prolonged
bed rest.
Keywords: physical inactivity, bed rest, psychological well-being, young healthy individuals
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