Stress is common and inevitable in present scenario. Ability to combat stress varies from person to person. The present study was conducted to compare the effects of acute stress on cardiovascular parameters in sedentary workers and athletes. One hundred asymptomatic healthy males, aged 17-25 years, participated voluntarily. Subjects were divided into 2 groups of 50 each comprising of sedentary workers (Group A) and athletes (Group B). Cold pressor test (CPT) was used to induce acute stress. In CPT, cold water of 8o C was used to induce experimental stress. In both the groups, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded in basal condition and post CPT-immediate, 1 minute and 5 minutes after removal of cold stimulus. Statistical analysis was done by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests using the (window) SPSS Statistics 17.0 version. Results showed that there was significant increase in cardiovascular parameters viz. blood pressure and heart rate in both the groups but these increments were more significant in sedentary workers in comparison to athletes. Recovery from the effects of cold stress was faster in group B (athletes). The results suggest that regular athletic activities and aerobic exercise reduces the effects of stress and also helps in faster recovery from the ill effects of stress.

Keywords: Acute Stress; Athletic Activity; Sedentary Life Style; Cold Pressor Test.