PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF FLOW STATE
A. Kovaleva, A. Kvitchasty, V. Anisimov
July 13, 2020 DOI: 10.14529/hsm200206 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study with semi-structured interview classification |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 31 |
| Population | Athletes of different competitive levels (20 females, 11 males; mean age 19.1 ± 4.59 years) |
| Intervention | Dynavision D2 training device |
| Measures | Semi-structured interview, heart rate variability (standard deviation of RR-intervals, SDRR), respiration rate (thoracic and abdominal), finger temperature, skin conductance |
| Key findings | Athletes who reported experiencing flow showed higher standard deviations of heart rate than those who did not, and within the flow group SDRR, skin conductance, and finger temperature increased significantly after the experiment; in the no-flow group only skin conductance rose. The authors conclude that flow is characterized by a marked increase in sympathetic nervous system activity, described as a higher level of stress than the same activity without flow. |
Abstract
Aim. The study aims to reveal objective psychophysiological indicators that are related to flow state. Materials and methods. Thirty-one (31) athletes of different competitive levels (20 females and 11 males, mean age 19.1 ± 4.59 years) participated in the study. The dynavision D2 training device was applied for creating optimal flow state conditions during the experiment. Physiological indicators were recorded by the Thought Technology hardware and software system. Heart rate variability, respiration rate (thoracic and abdominal), finger temperature, skin conductance were analyzed. Flow state depth was estimated based on the participants’ answers during the semi-structured interview that followed the experiment. Results. According to the results of the interview, all athletes were divided into two groups: the first group included athletes experiencing flow state (“flow” group), the second group composed of athletes who did not manage to experience flow state (“no-flow” group). When comparing these two groups after the experiment, it was revealed that the first group had higher levels of standard deviations of heart rate compared with the second group. In the first group (flow), the following indicators were significantly higher after the experiment: standard deviation of the RR-intervals (SDRR), skin conductance, and finger temperature. In the second group (no-flow), only skin conductance increased significantly. Conclusion. The results allow us to conclude that the flow state is characterized by a marked increase in the sympathetic nervous system (a higher level of stress compared to the same activity without flow).