Aerobic Exercise and Eucalyptus Globulus: Cardio-affective effects on recovery and stress

Alfredo Anderson Teixeira-Araujo (Federal University of Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF) – Petrolina/PE, Brazil 1Graduate Program Biological and Health Sciences, 2Graduate Program on Physical Education.)
Jackson R.G.S. Almeida (Federal University of Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF) – Petrolina/PE, Brazil 1Graduate Program Biological and Health Sciences, 3Graduate Program in Natural Resources in the Semiarid)
Loumaíra Carvalho da Cruz (Federal University of Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF) – Petrolina/PE, Brazil 1Graduate Program Biological and Health Sciences, 4 University Center Leão Sampaio, College of Physical Education.)
Xirley P Nunes (Federal University of Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF) – Petrolina/PE, Brazil 3 Graduate Program in Natural Resources in the Semiarid.)
Sérgio Rodrigues Moreira (Federal University of Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF) – Petrolina/PE, Brazil 1Graduate Program Biological and Health Sciences, 2Graduate Program on Physical Education)

International Journal of Cardiovascular Practice
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2017)

Introduction: It is necessary to investigate the interrelation between physical exercise and aromatherapy, regarding cardiovascular and affective functions of human. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) and eucalyptus essential oil (EO) in cardiovascular and affective responses.Methods: Twelve adults (19-39 years) performed in a randomized order in different days: 1. AE session; 2. Inhalation of EO session; 3. AE + EO session and; 4. Control session. In each session remained at rest over 15min plus 5min to inhaling EO or blank air in Control session. The AE was 15 min run/walk at 80-85% of maximum heart rate. After recovery (30 min) the Cold Pressor Test (CPT) was applied. At rest, recovery and during CPT were measured cardiovascular and affective variables.Results: The variation of systolic blood pressure in the CPT was attenuated by AE +EO (12.3 ± 14.9 mmHg) and EO (12.6 ± 6.7 mmHg) compared to Control (17.3 ± 6.5 mmHg; P < 0.05). AE + EO increased pleasure in recovery (1′ = 1.2 ± 1.9 pts and 30′= 0.6 ± 1.1 pts) and reduced displeasure in stress (-3.4 ± 1.7 pts) when compared to Control in recovery (1′= -0.5 ± 1.4 pts and 30′= -0.7 ± 1.5 pts, respectively; P < 0.05) and stress (-4.6 ± 1.8 pts; P < 0.05).Conclusions: We conclude that aerobic exercise and eucalyptus essential oil attenuated cardiovascular responses and modulated the affect on recovery and stress.