Talmage, Jessica

• Ph.D., Exercise Science Concentration Biomechanics, Auburn University

• M.S., Exercise Science, Auburn University

• B.S., Exercise Physiology, East Carolina University

Exploring The Physiological Effects of Academic Stress on Aerobic Performance in Student-Athletes 

The mission of the Nora Evertt Staeel Human Performance Laboratory at NSU is to conduct application-based research projects that informs the development of training programs and injury prevention protocols to enhance athletic performance and mitigate injury risk. Identifying risk factors for injury and decreased performance is imperative for designing effective programs. Our current lab projects have identified correlations between training fatigue, decreased vertical jump performance, and lower extremity strength.

Additionally, our analysis of heart rate and GPS tracking data have provided insights into cumulative fatigue, aerobic performance, and recovery metrics in football and soccer athletes.

College presents students with significant stressors, including academic demands, being away from home, extracurricular activities, and maintaining and building relationships. Furthermore, student-athletes face additional stressors related to their athletic commitments. In student-athletes heightened times of academic stress during the semester have been associated with time management issues and altered sleep and energy levels. Additionally, academic stress has been related to increased injury risk and performance decrements in Division I student-athletes. Academic stress has led to physiological stress in the body. Cortisol levels, a physiological marker of stress, have been used to quantify perceived stress in students. Stetler et al (2020) found that students who reported higher levels of job/academic stressors had higher levels of cortisol in their hair at the end of the semester. Alternatively, the relationship between cortisol levels and athletic performance is not as clear. A study done by Carter et al. failed to identify a relationship between cortisol and external measures of load such as distance, sprints, accelerations, and decelerations. Conversely, Fields et al. (2020) identified a negative but weak correlation between cortisol and heart rate variability. Despite these findings there is limited research directly linking academic stress and aerobic performance in Division II student athletes. Current literature on the topic is limited and conducted in Division I student-athletes, who generally have access to greater resources and academic support. In contrast, Division II programs often operate with limited budgets and fewer academic resources, which may heighten academic stress. The Nora Evertt Staeel Human Performance Laboratory would like to address this gap by conducting a research study investigating the relationship between academic stress and aerobic performance in Division II athletes. Student researchers will assess academic stress and aerobic performance at 3 points over the course of the spring and summer semester; Pre spring break (low academic stress), post spring break (high academic stress), and summer (no academic stress). A graded exercise test protocol will be conducted, and aerobic performance will be quantified through EKG responses to exercise (heart rate recovery time, heart rate variability) and time-to-exhaustion.

Academic stress will be quantified via a questionnaire and salivary cortisol levels. The findings of this study will contribute to the mission of the Nora Evertt Staeel Human Performance Laboratory at Northern by identifying risk factors for decreased performance and increased injury to inform the development of training and injury mitigation protocols for Division II student-athletes.