THE CALMING RESPONSE: ANXIETY REDUCTION IN AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ROPES COURSE
THE CALMING RESPONSE: ANXIETY REDUCTION IN AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ROPES COURSE
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Issue Date
1997
Authors
EBERSOLE, DEE
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Abstract
Outdoor adventure ropes courses' are growing in popularity as they have been recognized as an effective method for enhancing -personal growth. Within the ropes course setting, facilitators need to be aware of individual differences relating to arousal levels and anxiety. Reduction of the negative effects of anxiety are of particular interest to the ropes course facilitator.
This study will attempt to contribute to the existing body of literature related to anxiety reduction in high adventure programs by illustrating the effectiveness of the Calming Response in immediately lowering "negative" anxiety levels of participants in an adventure ropes course low element.
The evidence gathered in this study support the existing body of literature in anxiety reduction claiming that near immediate reduction of anxiety is possible. The Calming Response, the technique employed, was a combination of paced abdominal breathing and autogenic responses. The experimental group experienced an almost immediate reduction in anxiety as indicated by a lowering of heart rate after the intervention of the Calming Response.
The author recommends further research on the subject of immediate anxiety reduction as participation in ropes ourses and outdoor adventure sports continues to gain in popularity.