Experience, cortisol reactivity, and the coordination of emotional responses to skydiving

Abstract

Physiological habituation to laboratory stressors has previously been demonstrated, although the literature remains equivocal. Previous studies have found skydiving to be a salient naturalistic stressor that elicits a robust subjective and physiological stress response. However, it is uncertain whether (or how) stress reactivity habituates to this stressor given that skydiving remains a risky, life-threatening challenge with every jump despite experience. While multiple components of the stress response have been documented, it is unclear whether an individual’s subjective emotions are related to their physiological responses. Documenting coordinated responsivity would lend insight into shared underlying mechanisms for the nature of habituation of both subjective (emotion) and objective (cortisol) stress responses. Therefore, we examined subjective emotion and cortisol responses in first-time compared to experienced skydivers in a predominantly male sample (total n = 44; males = 32, females = 12). Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) revealed that experienced skydivers showed less reactivity and faster recovery compared to first-time skydivers. Subjective emotions were coordinated with physiological responses primarily within first-time skydivers. Pre-jump anxiety predicted cortisol reactivity within first-time, but not experienced, skydivers. Higher post-jump happiness predicted faster cortisol recovery after jumping although this effect overlapped somewhat with the effect of experience. Results suggest that experience may modulate the coordination of emotional response with cortisol reactivity to skydiving. Prior experience does not appear to extinguish the stress response but rather alters the individual’s engagement of the HPA axis.

Stress and salivary cortisol in emergency medical dispatchers: A randomized shifts control trial

“…There was a greater increase in cortisol levels in response to stress in the men than in the women, as reported elsewhere [56] Another report showed that experienced individuals had a lower increase in cortisol levels and faster recovery compared to those without experience [57]. Although we did not demonstrate an effect of experience, that the longer experience of the female emergency medical dispatchers may have affected the results.…”

An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial of Personalized Lifestyle Advice and Tandem Skydives as a Means to Reduce Anhedonia

“…Our findings are conclusive in showing that thrill experiences like a tandem skydive should not be suggested as a possible treatment for anhedonia, as the skydive did not provide the hypothesized motivational boost to kick start the implementation of the lifestyle advice. Possibly, a tandem skydive is only effective in increasing immediate pleasure and motivation, as was found in previous studies (Meyer et al, 2015;Wang & Tsien, 2011), and does not have a persistent effect. Our lack of effects may indicate that a skydive is not effective in decreasing anhedonia.…”

“…Even though it is considered to be safe, falling from a great height evokes a substantial fight-flight response in virtually all individuals (Hare, Wetherell, & Smith, 2013). Physiologically, skydiving results in increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and alpha-amylase and cortisol levels (Chatterton et al, 1997;Hare et al, 2013;Meyer et al, 2015). Psychologically, individuals experience extreme fear before and during the free fall experience (Hare et al, 2013), followed by euphoria afterwards (Meyer et al, 2015).…”

“…Physiologically, skydiving results in increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and alpha-amylase and cortisol levels (Chatterton et al, 1997;Hare et al, 2013;Meyer et al, 2015). Psychologically, individuals experience extreme fear before and during the free fall experience (Hare et al, 2013), followed by euphoria afterwards (Meyer et al, 2015). This contrast in emotions can be explained by Solomon's opponent process theory of acquired motivation (Solomon, 1980), which states that humans automatically contrast extreme emotions, such as fear and euphoria.…”

The anticipatory stress response to sport competition; a systematic review with meta-analysis of cortisol reactivity

“… 22 However, the peak cortisol concentration before sky-diving is not different between experienced versus less experienced sky-divers 9 where the pattern of cortisol reactivity (eg, quick rise and reduction) is distinct. 10 Therefore, it is anticipated that age and experience might play a greater role in the pattern of cortisol reactivity than in the magnitude of the cortisol response.…”