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Experimental studies have reported associations between short-term exposure to natural outdoor environments (NOE) and health benefits. However, they lack insight into mechanisms, often have low external and ecological validity, and have rarely focused on people with some psycho-physiological affection. The aim of this study was to use a randomized, case-crossover design to investigate: (i) the effects of unconstrained exposure to real natural and urban environments on psycho-physiological indicators of people with indications of psychological distress, (ii) the possible differential effects of 30 and 30+180 minutes exposures, and (iii) the possible mechanisms explaining these effects. People (n = 26) with indications of psychological distress were exposed to green (Collserola Natural Park), blue (Castelldefels beach) and urban (Eixample neighbourhood) environments in Catalonia. They were exposed to all environments in groups for a period of 30+180 minutes between October 2013 and January 2014. During the exposure period, participants were instructed to do what they would usually do in that environment. Before, during (at 30 and 30+180 minutes) and after each exposure, several psycho-physiological measures were taken: mood (measured as Total Mood Disturbance, TMD), attention capacity (measured as backwards digit-span task), stress levels (measures as salivary cortisol), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, autonomous nervous system (assessed as heart rate variability and the indicators: low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), ratio between LF and HF (LF:HF), and coefficients of component variance of LF, HF, and LF:HF). We also measured several potential mediators: air pollution, noise, physical activity, social interactions, and self-perceived restoration experience. When compared with responses to urban environment, we found statistically significantly lower TMD [-4.78 (-7.77, -1.79) points difference], and salivary cortisol [-0.21 (-0.34, -0.08) log nmol/L] in the green exposure environment, and statistically significantly lower TMD [-4.53 (-7.57, -1.49) points difference], and statistically significant favourable changes in heart rate variability indicators (specifically LF:HF and CCV-LF:HF with around -0.20 points of difference of the indicators) in the blue exposure environment. Physical activity and self-perceived restoration experience partially mediated the associations between NOE and TMD. Physical activity and air pollution partially mediated the associations between NOE and heart rate variability. This study extends the existing evidence on the benefits of NOE for people's health. It also suggests NOE potential as a preventive medicine, specifically focusing on people with indications of psychological distress. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02624921.

An emerging body of evidence suggests that plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY) concentration is positively associated with performance under conditions of psychological stress. However, whether NPY concentrations in saliva are associated with performance under stress remains unknown. We collected saliva samples in a high-performance environment and tested the associations between salivary NPY, self-reported psychological variables, and performance during a stressful task. Participants were 15 male police firearms officers (M = 33.57 years,  = 3.92) enrolled in a demanding selection course. Participants provided their saliva samples using the passive drool method 1 h before the shooting task, which they needed to pass to remain on the course (high-stress condition). Additionally, they provided a sample on a low-stress training day (low-stress condition). Self-reported measures of psychological state included measures of state anxiety (cognitive and somatic), self-confidence, and threat appraisals provided 1 h prior to the shooting task. NPY concentrations were detected under both high- and low-stress conditions. Mean NPY levels (ng/mL) were higher before the high-stress shooting task ( = 1.56, = 0.88) than on the low-stress training day ( = 1.13, = 0.52), but this difference did not reach significance. Salivary NPY concentrations prior to the shooting task were positively and strongly associated with shooting performance ( = 13, = 0.71, = 0.007). There were no associations between psychological variables and salivary NPY or shooting performance. This study provides an important initial step in exploring the salivary NPY-performance relationship. Further studies are needed to determine whether these results can be replicated across different performance tasks and domains.

Background Medical Foundation Year (FY) doctors demonstrate greater psychological distress compared with the general population and other student groups. This feasibility study investigated FY doctors’ perceptions of mindfulness and the impact of a mindful resilience and effectiveness training (MRET) programme on stress, wellbeing, and performance. Methods Mixed-methods study utilising a questionnaire (study 1, N  = 144) and a pre-post analysis design of MRET programme (study 2, N  = 13), along with focus groups ( N  = 7). Results In study 1 28.5% of FY’s reported using mindfulness. All five mindfulness facets were significantly, and positively, associated with mental wellbeing ( p  < 0.05). Acting with awareness (AA) and non-reactivity (NR) were significantly, positively associated with a challenge responses to stress ( p  < 0.05). Threat and loss appraisals were negatively associated with AA, NR, and non-judging ( p  < 0.01). Perceived productivity was positively associated with mindfulness facets: describing, AA, and NR ( p  < 0.001). In study 2, there were significant increases in wellbeing and mindfulness facets observing, describing, AA, and NR, and threat appraisals decreased ( p  < 0.05). The main themes identified across the focus group included Reframed Mindset, Values-Based Action, Embodied Leadership and Pedagogy. Conclusions There exists a relationship between mindfulness, psychological wellbeing, and performance in FYs. The MRET prorgamme improved psychological wellbeing and reduced threat appraisals. Future work could focus resources on enhancing the skills of AA and NR, as this may be sufficient to bring about meaningful improvements in wellbeing, percieved productivity and cognitive reappraisal of stressful life events.

ObjectiveTaking regular rest breaks while working positively impacts productivity and wellbeing. While home and hybrid working styles have become a popular choice for employees, the impact of, and perceptions towards, taking breaks while working at home is poorly understood. The current research aimed to explore attitudes towards taking rest breaks while working from home and capture levels of breaks taken, wellbeing and productivity in a sample of UK white-collar workers.MethodsA mixed method approach was applied where self-report data from an online survey were gathered from individuals (N = 140) from one organisation. Open-ended questions regarding attitudes and perceptions towards rest break behaviours were obtained. Further quantitative measures included the number of breaks taken while working from home, levels of productivity (measured by the Health and performance Presenteeism subscale) and mental wellbeing (measured by the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental wellbeing scale). Both quantitative and qualitative analysis approaches were applied.ResultsQualitative responses indicated two overarching themes (1) Personal and (2) Organisational sat above four further themes including Movement outside, Structure of home working, Home environment and Digital presence. Additionally, quantitative findings indicated that the number of breaks taken outside was associated with positive changes in wellbeing.ConclusionEmployers could aim to support employees working from home in taking outside breaks through flexible working patterns, authentic leadership, and a change in company social norms around break behaviours. Such organisational changes could help to improve workforce productivity and wellbeing.

Game location has a powerful influence on performance outcomes in sport. We reviewed recent research on three conceptual models that outline (a) the various game-location factors that can alter athletes' psychological states, (b) the natural protective response to territorial incursion in humans, and (c) the increased probability of involuntary attentional shifts in the presence of a supportive audience. Investigators recently have accumulated support for each of these models and linked variations in game location to psychological, hormonal, and behavioral states of athletes, coaches, and officials. We considered how an integrative approach might benefit the study of the home-advantage phenomenon and described an assortment of research questions to support the development of an integrative framework. By studying how audience support contributes to physiological reactivity, attention, stress responses, and decision making (among athletes and officials), researchers can achieve a better understanding of the processes through which a home environment can benefit (and occasionally harm) athletes and teams.

This study examined the relationship among cardiovascular responses indicative of challenge and threat states, self-efficacy, perceived control, and emotions before an upcoming competition. Using a repeated-measures design, 48 collegiate athletes talked about an upcoming competition (sport-specific speech task) and the topic of friendship (control speech task), whilst cardiovascular responses (heart rate, preejection period, cardiac output, and total peripheral resistance) were collected and self-report measures of self-efficacy, perceived control, and emotions completed. Findings showed that participants with a physiological threat response reported higher levels of self-efficacy and excitement. Further, none of the other emotions or the cognitive appraisals of challenge and threat predicted cardiovascular patterns indicative of either a challenge or threat state. Thus, cardiovascular responses and self-report measures of self-efficacy, perceived control, and emotions did not correlate in the manner predicted by the theory of challenge and threat states in athletes. This finding may reflect methodological aspects, or that perhaps highly efficacious individuals believe they can perform well and so the task itself is more threatening because failure would indicate under-performance.

Cognitive motivational relational theory suggests that cognitive appraisals or core relational themes (a composite summary of appraisal components) represent the proximal determinants of athletes' emotions. Semistructured interviews with 12 current international athletes (1 woman and 11 men) ages 19 to 37 years (M age = 27 years, SD = 6.03), representing a range of sports (badminton, golf, rugby union, athletics, archery, sailing, and snooker) explored the association between athletes' appraisals and emotions. Concurrent inductive and deductive content analyses suggested that primary and secondary appraisal components (goal relevance, goal congruence, ego-involvement, blame/credit, coping potential, future expectations) were associated with a range of emotions: anger, anxiety, guilt, happiness, pride, relief, sadness, and shame. A hierarchical content analysis provided some support for Lazarus' (1991) core relational themes. Limitations and applications of this study are discussed.

The emotional highs and lows of competitive sport, whether experienced as a competitor, spectator or coach may be the essential ingredient that gives sport its universal and compelling appeal. Emotion is clearly a pervasive force within competitive sport, and this is reflected in the burgeoning interest over recent decades in athletes' emotions and strategies for coping with these emotions. The interplay between emotion and coping is a critical factor in determining, through its influence on key psychological functions, an athlete's potential success in competitive sport. This fully revised and updated edition of the classic text on coping and emotion in sport goes further than any other book in examining the central role that these two factors play in sports performance. The book explores theory and measurement, current research, and contemporary issues and special populations respectively. Each chapter closely integrates cutting-edge research themes with discussion of practical and applied issues, with case studies and reflections from practitioners working in elite sport woven throughout the book. With contributions from leading international scholars and consultant psychologists, this book is vital reading for all students and professionals working in sport psychology.