2007, Piran, Slovenia

Cognitive and psychophysiological function
Emotional Regulation and Control Scale (Takšić, 2003) was translated in Slovene
language (we have obtained prior authorization for the use of the scale from the
author of the original scale). Results showed appropriate metric characteristics of the
instrument. It contains 20 statements relating to the assessment of the effect that an
individual’s emotions and mood states have on his/her thinking, memory, behaviour
and ability to control emotions.
Concentration and Performance Test is a speed test intended for measuring
concentration ability and establishing mental ability required for adequate
performance. The test contains 250 arithmetic problems, each arithmetic problem
comprising two simple addition and subtraction equations, and the time designated for
the completion of the test is limited to 30 minutes. The results of the test are evaluated
according to the number of equations calculated (quantity) and according to
correctness (quality), as they both reflect concentration ability.
The participants were required to complete the questionnaires a week before the start
of the BR experiment and then again after four weeks of horizontal BR.
RESULTS
Table 1: Differences in measured variables in participants before and after bed rest
Pre BR
M (SD)
After BR
M (SD)
difference
M
t(df=9) p
Anxiety 28.22 (2.69) 27.72 (5.90) 0.50 0.35 0.73
Emotonal
regulation and
control
Concentration -
quantity
Concentration -
quality
45.22 (6.98) 46.61 (7.82) -1.39 -0.99 0.33
93.22 (35.61) 95.88 (33.14) -2.66 0.32 0.75
10.39 (4.64) 7.18 (3.39) 3.21 3.76 0.02
At the time of the first measurement, on average the participants manifested a rather
low level of anxiety and achieved below average values on the scale of emotional
regulation and control, which suggests that the selection of candidates was appropriate
for this study. Namely, the results show that the participants’ negative emotional
states did not hinder their mental processes, nor interfere with their actions; moreover,
the participants felt they had control over their emotional states. Following a fourweek
BR period, no statistically significant changes occurred in the given variables.
In one participant, the level of anxiety increased visibly, while it remained unchanged,
or even decreased, in others. Also, a more apparent difference between the first and
second measurements on the scale of emotional regulation and control was recorded
in one participant; however, the values remained below the average.
As regards the concentration and performance test, the participants demonstrated
considerable individual differences within individual measurements. Their ability to
concentrate expressed in the quantity of results (total number of equations calculated)
did not change significantly following bed rest. However, the concentration expressed
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