An alternative approach for achieving cardiovascular baseline: viewing an aquatic video

Due to the importance of baseline and recovery levels in the computation of reactivity, two studies were conducted to determine an alternative method to traditional rest for achieving baseline and recovery levels of cardiovas cular measurements. Watching a relaxing, aquatic video was compared with a traditional resting baseline to determine the better method for achieving l ow baseline levels. In addition, watching the video was compared with tradi tional rest during 5-min post-task recovery periods. Systolic (SBP) and dia stolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased more during the baseline period when subjects viewed the video than when subjects rested quietly. Similarly, sub jects displayed greater recovery following the mental tasks when they watch ed a video than when they merely sat quietly. It is recommended that resear chers standardize baseline procedures by showing a relaxing video before ad ministering tasks for the assessment of cardiovascular reactivity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.