Cardiovascular and Electroencephalographic Response to Purposeful vs. Nonpurposeful Activity in Adults (†)

eEffects of purposefulness on heart rate, blood pressure, and electroencephalographic recordings were examined in 32 adults performing purposeful and nonpurposeful activities of equal cardiopulmonary workload. Blood pressure increased from resting during purposeful and nonpurposeful activity (all p < .02); the level of increase was similar for purposeful and nonpurposeful activity [systolic (p = .44); diastolic (p = .25)]. No significant differences in heart rate (p = .42) or electroencephalographic beta wave activity (p = .39) were noted between purposeful and nonpurposeful activities. These findings suggest that the degree of purposefulness of the activity did not influence the cardiovascular response.