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Salt och svett på skalan: En experimentell studie om djupavslappningens effekt på upplevd fysisk ansträngning hos idrottare och icke-idrottare

Alexson, Anna LU (2025) PSYK12 20251
Department of Psychology
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the effects of flotation-REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) as sensory-reduced relaxation method in comparison to passive rest with relaxing music, on the subjective experience of perceived physical exertion measured immediately after high-intensity exercise. Forty-four participants (18 athletes and 26 non-athletes) experienced both recovery methods in a within-subject and between-group design, where training background was the between-group factor. Subjective exertion was assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale immediately after completing a Wingate anaerobic capacity test. Results from a two-way mixed ANOVA showed no statistically significant difference in perceived exertion... (More)
This study aimed to examine the effects of flotation-REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) as sensory-reduced relaxation method in comparison to passive rest with relaxing music, on the subjective experience of perceived physical exertion measured immediately after high-intensity exercise. Forty-four participants (18 athletes and 26 non-athletes) experienced both recovery methods in a within-subject and between-group design, where training background was the between-group factor. Subjective exertion was assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale immediately after completing a Wingate anaerobic capacity test. Results from a two-way mixed ANOVA showed no statistically significant difference in perceived exertion between recovery methods, F(1,43) = 1.64, p = .207, d = 0.37, nor between training backgrounds. However, mean exertion was slightly lower after flotation-REST (M = 18.77, SD = 1.15) than after passive rest (M = 19.13, SD = 1.65), particularly among non-athletes, suggesting a possible trend favoring flotation-REST. A small effect size (d = 0.19) and a potential ceiling effect on the Borg scale may have limited the detection of subtle differences.
These findings indicate that both methods may support psychological recovery, likely via parasympathetic activation, but underline that recovery is a complex and individual process. Future research should include larger samples, explore different exercise intensities, and incorporate physiological (e.g., heart rate, cortisol) and cognitive measures to better understand recovery mechanisms.
Keywords: perceived exertion, recovery, flotation-REST, relaxation, athletes (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka effekterna av flotation-REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy, en sensoriskt reducerad avslappningsmetod) jämfört med passiv vila med lugnande musik på den subjektiva upplevelsen av fysisk ansträngning, mätt direkt efter högintensiv fysisk aktivitet. Fyrtiofyra deltagare (18 idrottare och 26 icke-idrottare) genomgick båda återhämtningsmetoderna i en inomgrupps- och mellangruppsdesign, där träningsbakgrund var mellangruppsfaktorn. Upplevd ansträngning bedömdes med Borgskalan för upplevd ansträngning (RPE) direkt efter att deltagarna utfört ett Wingate-test (ett maximal anaerobt kapacitetstest).
Resultat från en tvåvägs mixed ANOVA visade ingen statistiskt signifikant skillnad i upplevd... (More)
Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka effekterna av flotation-REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy, en sensoriskt reducerad avslappningsmetod) jämfört med passiv vila med lugnande musik på den subjektiva upplevelsen av fysisk ansträngning, mätt direkt efter högintensiv fysisk aktivitet. Fyrtiofyra deltagare (18 idrottare och 26 icke-idrottare) genomgick båda återhämtningsmetoderna i en inomgrupps- och mellangruppsdesign, där träningsbakgrund var mellangruppsfaktorn. Upplevd ansträngning bedömdes med Borgskalan för upplevd ansträngning (RPE) direkt efter att deltagarna utfört ett Wingate-test (ett maximal anaerobt kapacitetstest).
Resultat från en tvåvägs mixed ANOVA visade ingen statistiskt signifikant skillnad i upplevd ansträngning mellan de två återhämtningsmetoderna, F(1,43) = 1,64, p = 0,207, d = 0,37, eller utifrån träningsbakgrund. Medelvärdet för upplevd ansträngning var dock något lägre efter flotation-REST (M = 18,77, SD = 1,15) jämfört med passiv vila (M = 19,13, SD = 1,65), särskilt bland icke-idrottare, vilket tyder på en möjlig trend till fördel för vila i flyttank.
Den lilla effektstorleken (d = 0,19) och en möjlig tak-effekt på Borgskalan kan ha begränsat möjligheten att upptäcka subtila skillnader.
Resultaten tyder på att båda metoderna kan främja psykologisk återhämtning, sannolikt via parasympatisk aktivering, men understryker samtidigt att återhämtning är en komplex och individuell process. Framtida forskning bör inkludera större urval, undersöka olika intensiteter av fysisk aktivitet och kombinera subjektiva skattningar med fysiologiska (t.ex. puls, kortisol) och kognitiva mått för att bättre förstå återhämtnings mekanismer.
Nyckelord: Upplevd ansträngning, återhämtning, flotation-REST, avslappning, idrottare (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Alexson, Anna LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYK12 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
perceived exertion, recovery, flotation-REST, relaxation, athletes, Upplevd ansträngning, återhämtning, avslappning, idrottare
language
Swedish
id
9202061
date added to LUP
2025-06-18 13:54:24
date last changed
2025-06-18 13:54:24
@misc{9202061,
  abstract     = {{This study aimed to examine the effects of flotation-REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) as sensory-reduced relaxation method in comparison to passive rest with relaxing music, on the subjective experience of perceived physical exertion measured immediately after high-intensity exercise. Forty-four participants (18 athletes and 26 non-athletes) experienced both recovery methods in a within-subject and between-group design, where training background was the between-group factor. Subjective exertion was assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale immediately after completing a Wingate anaerobic capacity test. Results from a two-way mixed ANOVA showed no statistically significant difference in perceived exertion between recovery methods, F(1,43) = 1.64, p = .207, d = 0.37, nor between training backgrounds. However, mean exertion was slightly lower after flotation-REST (M = 18.77, SD = 1.15) than after passive rest (M = 19.13, SD = 1.65), particularly among non-athletes, suggesting a possible trend favoring flotation-REST. A small effect size (d = 0.19) and a potential ceiling effect on the Borg scale may have limited the detection of subtle differences.
These findings indicate that both methods may support psychological recovery, likely via parasympathetic activation, but underline that recovery is a complex and individual process. Future research should include larger samples, explore different exercise intensities, and incorporate physiological (e.g., heart rate, cortisol) and cognitive measures to better understand recovery mechanisms.
Keywords: perceived exertion, recovery, flotation-REST, relaxation, athletes}},
  author       = {{Alexson, Anna}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Salt och svett på skalan: En experimentell studie om djupavslappningens effekt på upplevd fysisk ansträngning hos idrottare och icke-idrottare}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}