This study investigated the influences of both perceived control
and physical effort on cardiovascular reactivity. Undergraduates
(N = 32) played a video game task interrupted by aversive noise.
Perceived control of the noise was manipulated by instructions
indicating the presence or absence of a contingency between
performance and noise presentations. Physical effort was
manipulated by controlling the physical force required to perform
the task. There was a significant main effect of control on
systolic blood pressure (SBP) and total peripheral resistance
(TPR), with both increasing more during low than high control
conditions. The results suggest that high perceived control
over aversive noise in an effortful task reduces SBP and TPR
reactivity relative to low perceived control. The results are
consistent with the idea that control buffers the reactivity
associated with task performance under aversive conditions.