Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on heart rate variability

Introduction Strict lockdown rules were imposed to the French population from 17 March to 11 May 2020, which may result in limited possibilities of physical activity, modified psychological and health states. This report is focused on HRV parameters kinetics before, during and after this lockdown period. Methods 95 participants were included in this study (27 women, 68 men, 37 ± 11 years, 176 ± 8 cm, 71 ± 12 kg), who underwent regular orthostatic tests (a 5-minute supine followed by a 5-minute standing recording of heart rate (HR)) on a regular basis before (BSL), during (CFN) and after (RCV) the lockdown. HR, power in low- and high-frequency bands (LF, HF, respectively) and root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD) were computed for each orthostatic test, and for each position. Subjective well-being was assessed on a 0–10 visual analogic scale (VAS). The participants were split in two groups, those who reported an improved well-being (WB+, increase >2 in VAS score) and those who did not (WB-) during CFN. Results Out of the 95 participants, 19 were classified WB+ and 76 WB-. There was an increase in HR and a decrease in RMSSD when measured supine in CFN and RCV, compared to BSL in WB-, whilst opposite results were found in WB+ (i.e. decrease in HR and increase in RMSSD in CFN and RCV; increase in LF and HF in RCV). When pooling data of the three phases, there were significant correlations between VAS and HR, RMSSD, HF, respectively, in the supine position; the higher the VAS score (i.e., subjective well-being), the higher the RMSSD and HF and the lower the HR. In standing position, HRV parameters were not modified during CFN but RMSSD was correlated to VAS. Conclusion Our results suggest that the strict COVID-19 lockdown likely had opposite effects on French population as 20% of participants improved parasympathetic activation (RMSSD, HF) and rated positively this period, whilst 80% showed altered responses and deteriorated well-being. The changes in HRV parameters during and after the lockdown period were in line with subjective well-being responses. The observed recordings may reflect a large variety of responses (anxiety, anticipatory stress, change on physical activity…) beyond the scope of the present study. However, these results confirmed the usefulness of HRV as a non-invasive means for monitoring well-being and health in this population.

Download Full-text

Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on heart rate variability

10.1101/2020.07.30.20165118 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nicolas Bourdillon ◽

Sasan Yazdani ◽

Laurent Schmitt ◽

Gregoire P Millet

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

High Frequency ◽

Well Being ◽

Standing Position ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

French Population ◽

Health States ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Monitoring Well ◽

Vas Score

Introduction: Strict lockdown rules were imposed to the French population from 17 March to 11 May 2020, which may result in limited possibilities of physical activity, modified psychological and health states. This report is focused on HRV parameters kinetics before, during and after this lockdown period. Methods: 95 participants were included in this study, who underwent regular orthostatic tests (a 5-minute supine followed by a 5-minute standing recording of heart rate (HR)) on a regular basis before, during and after the lockdown (BSL, CFN and RCV, respectively). HR, power in low- and high-frequency bands (LF, HF, respectively) and root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD) were computed for each orthostatic test, and for each positions. Subjective well-being was assessed on a 0-10 visual analogic scale (VAS). Results: Out of the 95 participants, 19 (WB+) reported an improved well-being (i.e., increase >2 in VAS score) during CFN, contradictory to the 76 other participants (WB-). There was an increase in HR and a decrease in RMSSD when measured supine in CFN and RCV, compared to BSL in WB-, whilst opposite results were found in WB+ (i.e. decrease in HR and increase in RMSSD in CFN and RCV; increase in LF and HF in RCV). There was a moderate significant correlation between VAS and HR, RMSSD, HF, respectively, in the supine position; the higher the VAS score (i.e., subjective well-being), the higher the RMSSD and HF and the lower the HR. In standing position, HRV parameters were not modified during CFN. Conclusion: The strict COVID-19 lockdown likely had opposite effects on French population as 20% of participants improved parasympathetic activation (RMSSD, HF) and rated positively this period, whilst 80% showed altered responses and deteriorated well-being. The changes in HRV parameters during and after the lockdown period were in line with subjective well-being responses. These results confirmed the usefulness of HRV as a non-invasive means for monitoring well-being and health in the general population.

Download Full-text

Rhythmic Thermal Impacts as a Means of Restoring Persons Engaged in Physical Training and Sport after Intensive Physical Activity

Journal of New Medical Technologies ◽

10.12737/2734 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 74-78

Author(s):

Классина ◽

S. Klassina ◽

Фудин ◽

N. Fudin ◽

Вагин ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Physical Training ◽

Blood Pressure Measurement ◽

Recovery Process ◽

Well Being ◽

Bicycle Ergometer ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Load Testing ◽

The Impact

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rhythmic thermal effects as a means of person´s recovery after intense exercises. Young men with different physical training levels attended the survey. Every subject took part in the two surveys, and in each of them he was offered an increasing in intensity physical activity on a cycle ergometer to failure. Load testing was carried out on the background of constant cadence. However, in the first survey recovery after exercise happened in the saddle ergometer at rest, and in the second - also in the saddle of a bicycle ergometer, but already against the background of the impact of rhythmic thermal incentives. Rhythmic thermal incentives, which temperature is averaged about 30 degrees Celsius, were served with a thermal element, which is housed in the nasolabial triangle of the tested person. The thermal element was turned on for inspiration and off as you exhale. It was allowed to subject subconsciously to regulate the supply of heat by changing the breath pattern. Load testing process was monitoring by ECG and blood pressure measurement. Analysis of the material showed, that the rhythmic thermal impacts might be the effective non-drug method. It may be used to rehabilitate the human functional state after intensive physical activity. When restoring the background of rhythmic thermal impacts of the test improving the subjective well-being, normalization of vegetative balance, reduced the heart rate is a certain level of physical performance. It is established that recovery amid RTI is more likely to be recommended to the persons with high tone of the sympathetic nervous system, since against the background of RTI a marked weakening of the sympathetic effects on the heart was noted, while the recovery process was characterized by more pronounced reduction in heart rate and ended the 6th minute.

Download Full-text

Resting Heart Rate Measurement in Elite Athletes during COVID-19 Lockdown: The Impact of Decreased Physical Activity

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13052970 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 2970

Author(s):

Robin Pla ◽

Laurent Bosquet ◽

Anaël Aubry ◽

Jean-François Toussaint ◽

Adrien Sedeaud

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Elite Athletes ◽

Well Being ◽

Standing Position ◽

Training Volume ◽

Resting Heart Rate ◽

Elite Swimmers ◽

The Impact

The purpose was to observe the effects of a four-week lockdown on the resting heart rate (RHR) and well-being perception of elite swimmers. Twenty elite swimmers performed RHR measurements upon waking in supine and standing positions. Baseline values and those measured after four weeks of lockdown were compared. Swimmers completed a questionnaire on their training volume and state of well-being. During the lockdown, swimmers reported a weekly mean physical activity of 10.4 ± 3.6 h (an estimated reduction of 254% compared to their usual training volume). After four weeks of lockdown, RHR in the supine position increased by more than two beats per minute (58.8 ± 8.2 vs. 56.5 ± 7.4 bpm, p < 0.05). In the standing position, RHR increased by almost 15 beats per minute (103.3 ± 13.2 vs. 88.4 ± 9.4 bpm, p < 0.0001). Fifty percent of these athletes expressed a decrease in well-being. These results underline that the lockdown circumstances induced a large reduction in parasympathetic activity in elite athletes, which was associated with a decrease in training volume. This increase in RHR may reflect that a highatly strenuous environment and maintaining a high level of physical activity in this population could be favorable to preserve physical and psychological health.

Download Full-text

Relationship between Empathy, Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-being of Elderly Participating in Physical Activity

Korean Journal of Sport Studies ◽

10.23949/kjpe.2017.05.56.3.26 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 349-361 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sung-Jee Yang

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Well Being ◽

Subjective Well Being

Download Full-text

An influence of social isolation on the level of physical activity as well as on well-being and mental state of people during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

Polish Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2478/pjph-2019-0029 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 129 (4) ◽

pp. 127-131

Author(s):

Agnieszka Parfin ◽

Krystian Wdowiak ◽

Marzena Furtak-Niczyporuk ◽

Jolanta Herda

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Population Group ◽

Well Being ◽

Small Sample ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Tract Infections ◽

The Impact

AbstractIntroduction. The COVID-19 is the name of an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). It was first diagnosed in December 2019 in patients in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The symptoms are dominated by features of respiratory tract infections, in some patients with a very severe course leading to respiratory failure and, in extreme cases to death. Due to the spread of the infection worldwide, the WHO declared a pandemic in March 2020.Aim. An investigation of the impact of social isolation introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic on selected aspects of life. The researchers focused on observing changes in habits related to physical activity and their connections with people’s subjective well-being and emotional state.Material and methods. The study was carried out within the international project of the group „IRG on COVID and exercise”. The research tool was a standardized questionnaire.Results. Based on the data collected and the analysis of the percentage results, it can be observed that the overwhelming majority of people taking up physical activity reported a better mood during the pandemic. However, statistical tests do not confirm these relationships due to the small sample size.Conclusions. Isolation favours physical activity. Future, in-depth studies, by enlarging the population group, are necessary to confirm the above observations.

Download Full-text

Increased high-frequency heart rate variability during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in healthy humans

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20030337 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 106 (6) ◽

pp. 583-588 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Hartmut SCHÄCHINGER ◽

Johannes PORT ◽

Stuart BRODY ◽

Lilly LINDER ◽

Frank H. WILHELM ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

High Frequency ◽

Concomitant Increase ◽

Plasma Adrenaline ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Hyperinsulinaemic Clamp ◽

Healthy Humans ◽

Plasma Insulin Levels ◽

Single Blind ◽

Cardiac Autonomic Activity

Despite causing sympathetic activation, prolonged hypoglycaemia produces little change in HR (heart rate) in healthy young adults. One explanation could be concurrent parasympathetic activation, resulting in unchanged net effects of autonomic influences. In the present study, hypoglycaemic (2.7 mmol/l) and normoglycaemic (4.7 mmol/l) hyperinsulinaemic clamp studies were performed after normoglycaemic baseline clamp periods with 15 healthy volunteers (seven male; mean age, 27 years) on two occasions in a randomized single-blind cross-over design. Non-invasive indices of cardiac autonomic activity and hormones were measured at baseline and 1 h after the beginning of hypoglycaemia or control normoglycaemia. Plasma insulin levels and mean HR were similar during both conditions. During hypoglycaemia, there was a 485% increase in plasma adrenaline (epinephrine). A shortening of the pre-ejection period by 45% suggested strong sympathetic cardiac activation. High-frequency (0.15–0.45 Hz) HRV (HR variability) increased, indicating a concomitant increase in parasympathetic tone. Thus, during hypoglycaemia-induced sympathetic cardiac activation in healthy adults, parasympathetic mechanisms are involved in stabilizing mean HR.

Download Full-text