Abstract
To examine the relationship that exists between humans and domesticated animals, the effects of a cattle rearing task on the psychological and physiological status of agricultural university students were investigated. The rearing task activities included : brushing, weight measurement, floor cleaning, and feeding, with each activity taking five minutes to complete. Both pre- and post-activity, five-minute rest was taken by the subjects. Heart rate and body axis acceleration of the students were measured continuously during the task. Salivary α-amylase (sAA) and stress response scale (SRS) were measured before and after the task as indicators of stress level. Spectral analysis of the R-R intervals of the electrocardiogram was conducted and LF/HF and HF nu, which are indicators of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activity, respectively, were compared among the rearing activities and between pre- and post-task. The sAA levels did not differ pre- and post-task, but SRS scores decreased significantly (P<0.01). Heart rate variability analysis showed no difference among activities in either LF/HF or HF nu. However, LF/HF was lower and HF nu was higher after brushing than before brushing (both P<0.05). This suggests that cattle brushing had a relaxing effect on the students.
