Effect of Stress in Muscle Function between Sedentary and Physically Active Adults using Mosso’s Ergograph: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Skeletal muscle is essentially involved in body movement. Structured physical activity refines the physical and mental well-being and it is viewed as one of the important factor which influences the skeletal muscle activity. Stress hormones causes metabolism of muscle proteins thereby reduces the muscle strength. Aim: To demonstrate the effect of stress in muscle function between sedentary and physically active adults. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done amid of 100 (inactive) sedentary and 100 exercising (physically active) adults in Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Tamil Nadu for a duration of four months (January – April 2022). Total 200 male subjects (100 sedentary and 100 physically active adults) between age group 25-30 years were included in this study. Muscle function (work done) was studied using Mosso’s ergograph. Perceived stress score was analysed by Cohen’s perceived stress scale questionnaire. Work done by muscle and stress score was correlated. Pearson’s and Chi-square test were used to assess the correlation between work done by muscle and stress score. Result: Work done by physically active adults was more. The effect of stress in reducing the muscle strength was comparatively lesser in physically active adults. There was a negative correlation found between work done by muscle and stress score among sedentary adults (r=0.011, r=-0.432, r=-0.835) and also among physically active adults (r=1.524, r=- 0.012, r=-0.035) with statistically significant (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: Amount of work done in physically active adults was more as compared to sedentary adults. Perceived stress had a negative effect on the muscle strength (work done) of the young adults. Exercise reduces the stress and improves the work done level of muscle.