Physical Activity and Aerobic Fitness are Positively Associated With Heart Rate Variability in Obese Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1614-1621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaisu Marjut Kaikkonen ◽  
Raija irmeli Korpelainen ◽  
Mikko P. Tulppo ◽  
Hannu Sakari Kaikkonen ◽  
Marja Liisa Vanhala ◽  
...  

Background:Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction and obesity are intrinsically related to each other. In normal-weight subjects physical activity (PA) and fitness are related to cardiovascular autonomic regulation, providing evidence that aerobic training may improve ANS functioning measured by heart rate variability (HRV). The goal of this study was to investigate the association between lifetime PA, aerobic fitness and HRV in obese adults.Methods:Participants included 107 (87 females) volunteers (mean age 44.5 years, median BMI 35.7) who completed health and lifestyle questionnaires and measurements of maximal aerobic performance, anthropometry and 24 h HRV.Results:In the multivariate linear regression analyses, lifetime physical activity explained 40% of the variance in normal R-R intervals (SDNN). Each 1-category increase in the activity index increased SDNN by 15.4 (P = .009) and 24% of the variance in natural logarithmic value of ultra-low frequency power (P = .050). High measured VO2max explained 45% of the variance in natural logarithmic value of high-frequency power (P = .009) and 25% of the variance in low frequency/high frequency ratio (P < .001).Conclusions:Lifetime physical activity and aerobic fitness may reduce obesity-related health risks by improving the cardiac autonomic function measured by HRV in obese workingage subjects. This research supports the role of lifetime physical activity in weight management strategies and interventions to reduce obesity-related health risks.

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (2) ◽  
pp. H455-H460 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. P. Davy ◽  
N. L. Miniclier ◽  
J. A. Taylor ◽  
E. T. Stevenson ◽  
D. R. Seals

Coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiac sudden death (CSD) incidence accelerates after menopause, but the incidence is lower in physically active versus less active women. Low heart rate variability (HRV) is a risk factor for CHD and CSD. The purpose of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that HRV at rest is greater in physically active compared with less active postmenopausal women. If true, we further hypothesized that the greater HRV in the physically active women would be closely associated with an elevated spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (SBRS). HRV (both time and frequency domain measures) and SBRS (sequence method) were measured during 5-min periods of controlled frequency breathing (15 breaths/min) in the supine, sitting, and standing postures in 9 physically active postmenopausal women (age = 53 +/- 1 yr) and 11 age-matched controls (age = 56 +/- 2 yr). Body weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage were lower (P < 0.01) and maximal oxygen uptake was higher (P < 0.01) in the physically active group. The standard deviation of the R-R intervals (time domain measure) was higher in all postures in the active women (P < 0.05) as were the high-frequency, low-frequency, and total power of HRV. SBRS also was higher (P < 0.05) in the physically active women in all postures and accounted for approximately 70% of the variance in the high-frequency power of HRV (P < 0.05). The results of the present investigation indicate that physically active postmenopausal women demonstrate higher levels of HRV compared with age-matched, less active women. Furthermore, SBRS accounted for the majority of the variance in the high-frequency power of HRV, suggesting the possibility of a mechanistic link with cardiac vagal modulation of heart rate. Our findings may provide insight into a possible cardioprotective mechanism in physically active postmenopausal women.


2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine E Reed ◽  
Darren E.R Warburton ◽  
Crystal L Whitney ◽  
Heather A McKay

Heart rate variability (HRV) is an umbrella term for a variety of measures that assess autonomic influence on the heart. Reduced beat-to-beat variability is found in individuals with a variety of cardiac abnormalities. A reduced HRV positively correlates with obesity, poor aerobic fitness, and increasing age. Racial (black-white) differences are apparent in adults and adolescents. We aimed to evaluate (i) Asian-Caucasian differences in HRV and (ii) differences in HRV between girls and boys. Sixty-two children (30 male (15 Caucasian, 15 Asian) and 32 female (15 Caucasian, 17 Asians)) with a mean age of 10.3 ± 0.6 y underwent 5 min resting HRV recording, fitness testing (Leger's 20 m shuttle), and self-assessed maturity. Outcome HRV measures were a ratio of low to high frequency power (LF:HF), standard deviation of R-R intervals (SDRR) and root mean square of successive R-R intervals (RMSSD). Data were compared between groups using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). There were no race or sex differences for time domain variables, mean R-R, body mass index, or blood pressure. Compared with Caucasian children, Asian children displayed a higher adjusted (fitness, R-R interval) LF:HF ratio (72.9 ± 59.4 vs. 120.6 ± 85.3, p < 0.05). Girls demonstrated a higher adjusted LF:HF power than boys (117.2 ± 85.1 vs. 76.6 ± 62.4, p = < 0.05). In conclusion, Asian and Caucasian children display different frequency domain components of heart rate variability.Key words: autonomic nervous system, sympathetic, vagal, race, aerobic fitness, sex.


Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (14 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S8.1-S8
Author(s):  
Mohammad Haider ◽  
Charles Wilber ◽  
Kaitlin Viera ◽  
Itai Bezherano ◽  
John Leddy

ObjectiveWe measured heart rate variability (HRV) during physiological stimuli in acutely concussed adolescents (CX) and after clinical recovery, and compared with healthy controls (HC).BackgroundConcussion is associated with autonomic dysfunction. Face Cooling (FC) triggers the trigeminal nerve to evoke transient increases in cardiac parasympathetic (PNS) activity.Design/Methods11 CX (14.8 ± 0.9 years, 6 male, 7 days since injury) and 11 HC (16.1 ± 1.1 years, 9 male) participated. We calculated mean heart rate (HR), standard deviation of root mean square (RMSSD, measure of PNS tone) and low-frequency to high-frequency power ratio (LF/HF ratio, measure of sympathetic [SNS] tone) at rest and 3-minute FC test.ResultsCX at Visit 1 and 2 had significantly lesser increase in HR (p = 0.02) and RMSSD (p = 0.038) than HC on FC.ConclusionsThese data show that acutely concussed participants have an attenuated PNS response to physiological stimuli which continues after clinical recovery.


1993 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Galletly ◽  
P. D. Tobin ◽  
B.J. Robinson ◽  
T. Corfiatis

1. Periodicities in cardiac interbeat interval may be resolved into discrete frequency components by applying Fourier analysis to heart rate time series. Low-frequency components (<0.15 Hz) are believed to be under parasympathetic and sympathetic control, whereas a higher frequency component in phase with respiration is believed to be entirely parasympathetic. The ratio of the power in the low-/high-frequency spectrum gives an estimate of sympathetic/para-sympathetic balance. 2. This study examined, using heart rate variability spectral analysis, the cardiac autonomic effects of breathing 30% N2O in normal subjects. While supine, the inhalation of N2O caused a significant fall in high-frequency power and a rise in the low-/high-frequency spectrum. During air breathing, tilting caused a significant rise in the mean blood pressure, heart rate, low-frequency power and low-/high-frequency spectrum. During N2O breathing, tilting caused a rise in the heart rate and the mean blood pressure, but no significant alteration in the power of individual spectral components. During tilting, the heart rate, the low-frequency and low-/high-frequency spectrum were less when breathing N2O than when breathing air. 3. These observations are consistent with the effect of N2O being an enhanced sympathetic balance of sinoatrial control, with the primary effect being through reduced parasympathetic tone. Enhanced sympathetic dominance of heart rate variability was seen on standing while subjects breathed air, but this effect was blunted with N2O.


2021 ◽  
pp. 431-437
Author(s):  
Kuo-Cheng Liu ◽  
Jong-Shyan Wang ◽  
Chien-Ya Hsu ◽  
Chia-Hao Liu ◽  
Carl PC Chen ◽  
...  

It is important to use short breaks to accelerate post-exercise recovery in sports. Previous studies have revealed that vibration can reduce post-exercise muscle soreness. However, there is still high heterogeneity in the effects of vibration on cardiovascular autonomic activities, and most studies to date have focused on high-frequency vibration. This study aimed to investigate the effect of low-frequency lower-body vibration (LBV) on post-exercise changes in heart rate variability and peripheral arterial tone. Ten men and 9 women aged 20 to 25 were recruited for this study. Each subject visited the testing room three times with at least 2 days in between. Each time, the subject received one of the three different vibration frequencies (0, 5, and 15 Hz) in a random order in the sitting position for 10 minutes. LBV was performed immediately after a static standing (control) test and 3-min-step test. Heart rate variability and digital volume pulse wave were recorded during the vibration phase (V1: vibration 0-5 minutes; V2: 6-10 minutes) and the recovery phase (Rc1: recovery phase 11-15 minutes; Rc2: 16-20 minutes). The result of digital pulse wave analysis showed that the reflection index (RI) under 15 Hz decreased during V1. Heart rate of the 15-Hz group also decreased during Rc1 and Rc2. According to the analysis of heart rate variability, low-frequency power/high-frequency power (LF/HF) decreased and normalized high-frequency power (nHF) increased during V2, Rc1 and Rc2 under 15 Hz and, during Rc2 under 5 Hz vibration. This study confirmed that the application of low-frequency LBV after exercise can reduce peripheral vascular tone, accelerate heart rate recovery, decrease cardiac sympathetic nerve activity, and promote parasympathetic nerve activity. The effect was more pronounced at 15 Hz than at 5 Hz. The findings provide a method to accelerate cardiovascular autonomic recovery after exercise.


1999 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-57
Author(s):  
Paolo PANCERA ◽  
Stefano SANSONE ◽  
Barbara PRESCIUTTINI ◽  
Luciano MONTAGNA ◽  
Silvia CERÙ ◽  
...  

Our aim was to investigate the sympathetic hyperactivity of systemic sclerosis that may lead to greater morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular events. We analysed the sympathetic (low-frequency) and vagal (high-frequency) components of heart rate variability, in supine and upright positions, in 10 patients with systemic sclerosis, 12 patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon and 14 controls. We also analysed lung function in order to evaluate a possible link between heart rate variability and ventilation parameters. Heart rate variability was reduced in the supine position in subjects with systemic sclerosis both in comparison with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (total power: 1103±156 versus 3302±486 ;ms2, P< 0.004) and control subjects (3148±422 ;ms2, P< 0.002). Low-frequency power was higher in patients with systemic sclerosis than in the controls (54.5±4.5 versus 42.5±3.5 normalized units, P< 0.01). During tilt, the change in heart rate was +44% in controls, +24% in subjects with primary Raynaud's phenomenon, and only +17% in the patients with systemic sclerosis (P< 0.01 versus controls). In patients with systemic sclerosis we found a significant correlation between high-frequency power and the indices of lung function (residual volume: r2 = 0.5143, P< 0.01; total lung capacity: r2 = 0.5142, P< 0.01, vital capacity: r2 = 0.3789, P< 0.05). Heart rate variability was reduced and sympathetic output increased in patients with systemic sclerosis. Subjects with primary Raynaud's phenomenon were characterized by normal heart rate variability and by some degree of sympathetic hyperactivity. During tilting, subjects with systemic sclerosis maintained an unmodified heart rate variability, thus suggesting an impaired baroceptor modulation of the autonomic control. The negative correlation between high-frequency power and indices of respiratory insufficiency in patients with systemic sclerosis suggests that the pulmonary structure plays an important role in the modulation of heart rate variability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luyi Li ◽  
Dayu Hu ◽  
Wenlou Zhang ◽  
Liyan Cui ◽  
Xu Jia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The adverse effects of particulate air pollution on heart rate variability (HRV) have been reported. However, it remains unclear whether they differ by the weight status as well as between wake and sleep. Methods A repeated-measure study was conducted in 97 young adults in Beijing, China, and they were classified by body mass index (BMI) as normal-weight (BMI, 18.5–24.0 kg/m2) and obese (BMI ≥ 28.0 kg/m2) groups. Personal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) were measured with portable exposure monitors, and the ambient PM2.5/BC concentrations were obtained from the fixed monitoring sites near the subjects’ residences. HRV and heart rate (HR) were monitored by 24-h Holter electrocardiography. The study period was divided into waking and sleeping hours according to time-activity diaries. Linear mixed-effects models were used to investigate the effects of PM2.5/BC on HRV and HR in both groups during wake and sleep. Results The effects of short-term exposure to PM2.5/BC on HRV were more pronounced among obese participants. In the normal-weight group, the positive association between personal PM2.5/BC exposure and high-frequency power (HF) as well as the ratio of low-frequency power to high-frequency power (LF/HF) was observed during wakefulness. In the obese group, personal PM2.5/BC exposure was negatively associated with HF but positively associated with LF/HF during wakefulness, whereas it was negatively correlated to total power and standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN) during sleep. An interquartile range (IQR) increase in BC at 2-h moving average was associated with 37.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 25.03, 51.51%) increases in LF/HF during wakefulness and associated with 6.28% (95% CI: − 17.26, 6.15%) decreases in SDNN during sleep in obese individuals, and the interaction terms between BC and obesity in LF/HF and SDNN were both statistically significant (p <  0.05). The results also suggested that the effects of PM2.5/BC exposure on several HRV indices and HR differed in magnitude or direction between wake and sleep. Conclusions Short-term exposure to PM2.5/BC is associated with HRV and HR, especially in obese individuals. The circadian rhythm of HRV should be considered in future studies when HRV is applied. Graphical abstract


2003 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario VAZ ◽  
A.V. BHARATHI ◽  
S. SUCHARITA ◽  
D. NAZARETH

Alterations in autonomic nerve activity in subjects in a chronically undernourished state have been proposed, but have been inadequately documented. The present study evaluated heart rate and systolic blood pressure variability in the frequency domain in two underweight groups, one of which was undernourished and recruited from the lower socio-economic strata [underweight, undernourished (UW/UN); n = 15], while the other was from a high class of socio-economic background [underweight, well nourished (UW/WN); n = 17], as well as in normal-weight controls [normal weight, well nourished (NW/WN); n = 27]. Baroreflex sensitivity, which is a determinant of heart rate variability, was also assessed. The data indicate that total power (0–0.4Hz), low-frequency power (0.04–0.15Hz) and high-frequency power (0.15–0.4Hz) of RR interval variability were significantly lower in the UW/UN subjects (P<0.05) than in the NW/WN controls when expressed in absolute units, but not when the low- and high-frequency components were normalized for total power. Baroreflex sensitivity was similarly lower in the UW/UN group (P<0.05). Heart rate variability parameters in the UW/WN group were generally between those of the UW/UN and NW/WN groups, but were not statistically different from either. The mechanisms that contribute to the observed differences between undernourished and normal-weight groups, and the implications of these differences, remain to be elucidated.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reuben Howden ◽  
Eva Gougian ◽  
Marcus Lawrence ◽  
Samantha Cividanes ◽  
Wesley Gladwell ◽  
...  

Nrf2protects the lung from adverse responses to oxidants, including 100% oxygen (hyperoxia) and airborne pollutants like particulate matter (PM) exposure, but the role ofNrf2on heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) responses is not known. We hypothesized that genetic disruption ofNrf2would exacerbate murine HR and HRV responses to severe hyperoxia or moderate PM exposures.Nrf2-/-andNrf2+/+mice were instrumented for continuous ECG recording to calculate HR and HRV (low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and total power (TP)). Mice were then either exposed to hyperoxia for up to 72 hrs or aspirated with ultrafine PM (UF-PM). Compared to respective controls, UF-PM induced significantly greater effects on HR (P<0.001) and HF HRV (P<0.001) inNrf2-/-mice compared toNrf2+/+mice.Nrf2-/-mice tolerated hyperoxia significantly less thanNrf2+/+mice (~22 hrs;P<0.001). Reductions in HR, LF, HF, and TP HRV were also significantly greater inNrf2-/-compared toNrf2+/+mice (P<0.01). Results demonstrate thatNrf2deletion increases susceptibility to change in HR and HRV responses to environmental stressors and suggest potential therapeutic strategies to prevent cardiovascular alterations.


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