scholarly journals The effects of six-week slow, controlled breathing exercises on heart rate variability in physically active, healthy individuals

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-9
Author(s):  
Cihan Erdem Sürücü ◽  
Sarp Güner ◽  
Caner Cüce ◽  
Dicle Aras ◽  
Fırat Akça ◽  
...  

Background and Study Aim: Heart rate variability (HRV) provides information about sympathetic-parasympathetic balance. The effects of different types of physical exercises on HRV have been investigated so far. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the chronic effects of six-week slow and controlled breathing exercise on HRV in physically active, healthy adults. Material and Methods: A total of 22 individuals (11 female, 11 male) participated in the study voluntarily. The experimental group (EG) attended to the breathing exercises for 15 minutes per day, three days a week for six weeks. Neither the EG nor the control group (CG) did join in any regular physical activity program during the study. Both groups participated in the HRV measurements before and after the six-week of process. Results: Only the EG showed statistically significant changes in some HRV parameters. The alterations observed in LF:HF ratio, HFnu, and LFnu parameters were to reflect the increase in parasympathetic activity. Although the changes in the other parameters of HRV such as SDNN, SDSD, RMSSD, TP, HF, LF, and VLF were also related to increased vagal activity, these alterations were not significant. However, no significant change was found in the CG. Conclusions: These results show that only the slow, controlled breathing exercises for six weeks could be used to improve parasympathetic activity in physically active individuals. A study could be designed where the duration is kept over 8 weeks, and the effects of physical exercises only, breathing exercises only, and physical + breathing exercises together on HRV are examined.

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-9
Author(s):  
Cihan Erdem Sürücü ◽  
Sarp Güner ◽  
Caner Cüce ◽  
Dicle Aras ◽  
Fırat Akça ◽  
...  

Background and Study Aim: Heart rate variability (HRV) provides information about sympathetic-parasympathetic balance. The effects of different types of physical exercises on HRV have been investigated so far. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the chronic effects of six-week slow and controlled breathing exercise on HRV in physically active, healthy adults. Material and Methods: A total of 22 individuals (11 female, 11 male) participated in the study voluntarily. The experimental group (EG) attended to the breathing exercises for 15 minutes per day, three days a week for six weeks. Neither the EG nor the control group (CG) did join in any regular physical activity program during the study. Both groups participated in the HRV measurements before and after the six-week of process. Results: Only the EG showed statistically significant changes in some HRV parameters. The alterations observed in LF:HF ratio, HFnu, and LFnu parameters were to reflect the increase in parasympathetic activity. Although the changes in the other parameters of HRV such as SDNN, SDSD, RMSSD, TP, HF, LF, and VLF were also related to increased vagal activity, these alterations were not significant. However, no significant change was found in the CG. Conclusions: These results show that only the slow, controlled breathing exercises for six weeks could be used to improve parasympathetic activity in physically active individuals. A study could be designed where the duration is kept over 8 weeks, and the effects of physical exercises only, breathing exercises only, and physical + breathing exercises together on HRV are examined.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Seifert ◽  
Jenny-Lena Kanitz ◽  
Kim Pretzer ◽  
Günter Henze ◽  
Katharina Witt ◽  
...  

Background. Impairment of circadian rhythm is associated with various clinical problems. It not only has a negative impact on quality of life but can also be associated with a significantly poorer prognosis. Eurythmy therapy (EYT) is an anthroposophic movement therapy aimed at reducing fatigue symptoms and stress levels.Objective. This analysis of healthy subjects was conducted to examine whether the improvement in fatigue symptoms was accompanied by improvements in the circadian rhythm of heart rate variability (HRV).Design. Twenty-three women performed 10 hours of EYT over six weeks. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded before and after the EYT trial. HRV was quantified by parameters of the frequency and time domains and the nonlinear parameters of symbolic dynamics.Results. The day-night contrast with predominance of vagal activity at night becomes more pronounced after the EYT training, and with decreased Ultralow and very low frequencies, the HRV shows evidence of calmer sleep. During the night, the complexity of the HRV is significantly increased indicated by nonlinear parameters.Conclusion. The analysis of the circadian patterns of cardiophysiological parameters before and after EYT shows significant improvements in HRV in terms of greater day-night contrast caused by an increase of vagal activity and calmer and more complex HRV patterns during sleep.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248686
Author(s):  
Sabrina Neyer ◽  
Michael Witthöft ◽  
Mark Cropley ◽  
Markus Pawelzik ◽  
Ricardo Gregorio Lugo ◽  
...  

Vagally mediated heart rate variability (HRV) is a psychophysiological indicator of mental and physical health. Limited research suggests there is reduced vagal activity and resulting lower HRV in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD); however little is actually known about the association between HRV and symptoms of depression and whether the association mirrors symptom improvement following psychotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between antidepressant therapy, symptom change and HRV in 50 inpatients (68% females; 17–68 years) with a diagnosis of MDD. Severity of depressive symptoms was assessed by self-report (Beck Depression Inventory II) and the Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression. Measures of vagally mediated HRV (root mean square of successive differences and high-frequency) were assessed at multiple measurement points before and after inpatient psychotherapeutic and psychiatric treatment. Results showed an expected negative correlation between HRV and depressive symptoms at intake. Depressive symptoms improved (d = 0.84) without corresponding change in HRV, demonstrating a de-coupling between this psychophysiological indicator and symptom severity. To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine an association between HRV and depressive symptoms before and after psychotherapy. The observed de-coupling of depression and HRV, and its methodological implications for future research are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Hyonna Kang ◽  
Sean Walsh ◽  
Brian Oliver ◽  
Terry Royce ◽  
Byung Je Cho

Background. Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM), an extension of Traditional Korean Medicine, divides the population into eight groups based on their physiological characteristics. ECM divides these eight groups into two larger groups based on autonomic reactivity: the Sympathicotonic group and the Vagotonic group (herein referred to as the Disympathetic Dimension). Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a widely used biomedical tool to assess cardiac autonomic function. This raises the question of the utility of using HRV to correctly diagnose ECM constitutions. Methods. A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate the correlation between HRV and constitutions in Korean Constitutional Medicine, including Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) and Sasang Constitution Medicine (SCM). The articles were obtained from both English (Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, ProQuest, and Medline) and Korean databases (NDSL and RISS), in addition to Google Scholar, without date restriction. 20 studies met the inclusion criteria, and data were extracted against three aspects: (1) correlation between HRV and constitution, (2) HRV reporting and interpretation, and (3) extraneous factors that were controlled in the studies. Results. 386 articles were initially identified, which was reduced to n = 20 studies which met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 19 were SCM studies and 1 was an ECM study. Sample sizes varied from 10 to 8498 men and women, with an age range of 10–80 years. SCM studies explored HRV differences by constitution, measuring HRV at resting, with controlled breathing, before and after acupuncture stimulation, and by other interventions. SCM studies reported either no significant differences (HRV at resting or with controlled breathing studies) or conflicting data (HRV with acupuncture stimulation studies). The single ECM study measured HRV at resting and after acupuncture stimulation but reported no significant differences between the two groups of Sympathicotonia and Vagotonia. Conclusions. Due to inconsistencies in study design, study population, and measures of HRV, there was no consistency in the data to support the use of HRV as a biomedical determinant of ECM constitutions.


2015 ◽  
pp. S661-S667 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. FIALOVÁ ◽  
O. KITTNAR

Diabetes mellitus is not just a simple metabolic disorder, however, it is considered to be a cardiovascular disease of a metabolic origin. This is apparent especially when speaking about type 2 diabetes (DM II). The objective of our study was to determine whether a comprehensive spa treatment (procedures and drinking cure) may affect the level of the sympathetic tone of patients suffering from DM II. As an indicator of the sympathetic tone, selected electrocardiographic parameters derived from the heart rate variability and microwave alternans were chosen. There were 96 patients enrolled in our study: 38 patients with poorly controlled DM II and two control groups: 9 patients with compensated DM II and 49 patients, average age without diabetes or other disorders of the glucose metabolism. All received an identical spa treatment and continued their medical therapy. The electrophysiological examination of patients was performed before and after a three-week spa treatment using the KARDiVAR system. Parameters derived from the analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), microvolt T-wave alternans, and microvolt R-wave alternans were analyzed in order to evaluate the tones of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The control group showed a slight increase of parameter the index of activity of regulatory systems (IRSA) (4.4±1.3 vs. 3.8±1.4; p=0.006) after the spa treatment, while increased heart rate (80.9±11.0 vs. 74.6±9.6; p=0.028), reduced index of centralization (IC) (1.3±0.6 vs. 2.9±1.4; p=0.027) and reduced index of myocardium (IM) (9.9±7.4 vs. 18.0±6.3; p=0.041) were found in patients with a compensated DM II. Patients with a poorly compensated DM II showed a decreased IM (10.9±8.6 vs. 16.9±5.2; p=0.001) and also a reduced IRSA (4.1±3.5 vs. 6.3±1.9; p=0.001). The results proved favorable changes in ANS cardiovascular control of patients with DM II after a spa treatment, especially in terms of reducing the sympathoadrenal system activity (decreased IRSA), improving electrical stability of the myocardium and increasing centrally controlled heart rate variability without overloading the cardiovascular system (drop of IM).


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 28-41
Author(s):  
Daniel Cesar Shirane ◽  
Fernanda Pereira Maiolini ◽  
Dalmo Antônio Ribeiro Moreira

Objetivo: O objetivo é analisar a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em universitários saudáveis, após ingestão de bebida energética. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, uni-cego que incluiu indivíduos de coração normal. Todos submeteram-se à monitorização eletrocardiográfica por 5 minutos, antes da ingestão de 250 ml do energético Red Bull® (grupo A – GA) ou de placebo (grupo B – GB), numa relação 3:1, num período de 10 minutos. Após 45 minutos, um outro ECG foi realizado. Os indivíduos dos GA e GB permaneceram em repouso, sentados. Foi obtida a VFC antes e após a administração das substâncias, nos domínios do tempo (DT) e da frequência (DF). Foram excluídos consumidores de energéticos, aqueles que tivessem ingerido álcool ou cafeína nas 24 h antes da investigação. Resultados: Foram incluídos 30 indivíduos no grupo A (16H, 14M, média de idade 22±3a, variando entre 17 e 36 a) e 10 no grupo B (6H, 4M, média de idade 20±5a).  Não se observou variação da frequência cardíaca antes e após nos GA e GB (70±10 vs 71±8 no GA [p=0,941] e, 69±8 vs. 70±9 no GB[p=0,881]). Houve incremento significativo da atividade vagal no GA, em comparação ao GB, tanto no DT (SDNN e RMSSD), como no DF (HF). O Red Bull® interferiu pouco no sistema simpático e na relação LF/HF nos GA e GB. Conclusões: O Red Bull® na dose empregada, aumentou a VFC por incremento do tônus parassimpáticos; não causou alteração no equilíbrio autonômico (relação LF/HF); esses achados confirmam os efeitos da cafeína sobre a VFC demonstrado em outros estudos.Palavras-chave: Variabilidade da Frequência Cardíaca; Bebida Energética; ArritmiasABSTRACTObjective: The objective is to analyze the heart rate variability in college students after energy drink intake. Materials and Methods. Prospective study, uni-blind which included normal individuals. All the students underwent electrocardiographic monitoring for 5 minutes before ingestion of 250 ml of Red Bull® (group A - GA) or placebo (Group B - GB) in a 3: 1 ratio, in a 10-minute period. After 45 minutes, another ECG was performed. Individuals at GA and GB remained at rest, sitting. HRV was obtained before and after administration of the substances in the time domain (TD) and frequency domain (FD). Those students categorized as frequent consumers of energy drinks and those who have been drinking alcohol or caffeine in the 24 hours prior to investigation were excluded from the study.Results: Thirty  subjects were included in group A (16M, 14F, mean age 22 ± 3a, ranging between 17 and 36 a) and 10 in group B (6 H, 4M, mean age 20 ± 5a). There was no change in heart rate before and after ingestions in  GA and GB (70 ± 10 vs 71 ± 8 in GA [p = 0.941] and 69 ± 8 vs. 70 ± 9 in GB [p = 0.881]). There was a significant increase in vagal activity in GA compared to GB, both in TD (SDNN and RMSSD) as well as in the FD (HF). The Red bull® little interfered with the sympathetic system and the LF / HF ratio in GA and GB. Conclusions: The Red Bull increased HRV by increase in parasympathetic tone; caused no change in autonomic balance (LF / HF ratio); these findings confirm the effects of caffeine on HRV shown in other studies.Keywords: Heart Rate Variability; Energy Drinks; Arrhythmias


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-237
Author(s):  
A. V. Kuleshov ◽  
Y. A. Medrazhevska

For children with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) characterized by disorders of vegetative homeostasis, especially pronounced effect on the body sympathetic link of the autonomic nervous system. In the medical literature, the question of correction of vegetative tone in children with primary MVP is now open. The purpose of the study was to study the parameters of vegetative homeostasis in children with mitral valve prolapse before and after treatment. 66 children with primary and primary MVP stage I and II at the age of 13–17 years were examined. The control group consisted of 23 practically healthy children. The evaluation of vegetative homeostasis was performed using a clinorostatic test and cardiointervalography, followed by an analysis of the parameters and parameters of the heart rate variability spectral analysis. To restore vegetative homeostasis to patients with PMC, an existing treatment regimen with our correction was prescribed. Namely, we added therapies levocarnitine and magnesium. According to the data obtained from the CP, we found that treatment led to the normalization of vegetative maintenance of the organism, mainly in the form of a decrease in the hypersympathicotonic tonic type after treatment, along with the baseline (p<0.05). Consequently, the proposed treatment scheme with the use of levocarnitine and magnesium, positively affects the autonomic system in children with primary MVP, reducing its dysfunction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1138-1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert F. Bentley ◽  
Emily Vecchiarelli ◽  
Laura Banks ◽  
Patric E.O. Gonçalves ◽  
Scott G. Thomas ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determine potential adverse cardiac effects of chronic endurance training by comparing sympathovagal modulation via heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate recovery (HRR) in middle-aged endurance athletes (EA) and physically active individuals (PA) following maximal exercise. Thirty-six (age, 53 ± 5 years) EA and 19 (age, 56 ± 5 years) PA were recruited to complete a 2-week exercise diary and graded exercise to exhaustion. Time domain and power spectral HRV analyses were completed on recorded R-R intervals. EA had a greater HRR slope following exercise (95% confidence interval, 0.0134–0.0138 vs. 0.0101–0.0104 beats/s; p < 0.001). While EA had greater HRR at 1–5 min after exercise (all p < 0.01), PA and EA did not differ when expressed as a percentage of baseline heart rate (130 ± 19 vs. 139 ± 19; p = 0.2). Root mean square of successive differences in R-R intervals (rest and immediately after exercise) were elevated in EA (p < 0.05). Low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) spectral components were nonsignificantly elevated after exercise (p = 0.045–0.147) in EA while LF/HF was not different (p = 0.529–0.986). This data suggests greater HRR in EA may arise in part due to a lower resting HR. While nonsignificant elevations in HF and LF in EA produces a LF/HF similar to PA, absolute spectral component modulation differed. These observations require further exploration. Novelty Acute effects of exercise on HRV in EA compared with a relevant control group, PA, are unknown. EA had greater HRR and nonsignificant elevations in LF and HF compared with PA, yet LF/HF was not different. Future work should explore the implications of this observation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (06) ◽  
pp. 468-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Iván Mesa Castrillón ◽  
Rodolfo Augusto Travagin Miranda ◽  
Carolina Cabral-Santos ◽  
Lais Manata Vanzella ◽  
Bruno Rodrigues ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare heart rate variability (HRV) recovery after 2 sessions of high-intensity intermittent exercise at different volumes (1.25 km [HIIE1.25] and 2.5 km [HIIE2.5]). 13 participants determined their maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and completed 2 HIIE (1:1 at 100% MAS) trials. The heart rate was recorded before and after each session. HRV indicators were calculated according to time (RMSSD and SDNN) and frequency (LF, HF and LF/HF ratio) domains. SDNN and RMSSD presented effect of test (F=20.97; p<0.01 and F=21.00; p<0.01, respectively) and moment (F=6.76; p<0.01 and F=12.30; p<0.01, respectively), without interaction. Even though we did not find an interaction effect for any HRV variables, the HIIE2.5 presented a delay of only 5 min in HRV recovery, when compared to HIIE1.25. However, the effects of the test (SDNN, RMSSD, LF-log, and HF-log) indicate higher autonomic stress during the entire recovery period. These findings may indicate that exercise volume interferes with HRV recovery. If so, physically active subjects may choose a lower volume exercise (i. e., HIIE1.25) in order to promote similar physical fitness adaptations with lower loading on autonomic modulation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Woon Kim ◽  
Israel Franco ◽  
Yong Seung Lee ◽  
Sang Won Han

Abstract We compared heart rate variability parameters of patients with spina bifida with those of a control group during urodynamic study to evaluate the autonomic nervous system dysfunction of spina bifida. Continuous heart rate variability parameters were recorded during 3 successive periods (P0: 2 minutes before the start of filling; P1: start of filling to the first desire to void; P2: P1 to the end of filling or the start of voiding). Children with vesicoureteral reflux who underwent video-urodynamic study were established as a control group. We included 11 patients with spina bifida and 9 controls. At baseline, patients with spina bifida had lower values of RMSSD, pNN50, and HF, while LF/HF ratio was increased (5.04 ± 4.75 vs 0.67 ± 0.42, p = 0.014). During bladder filling, LF/HF values increased in the control group (P0 0.67 ± 0.42 vs P1 0.89 ± 0.34 vs P2 1.21 ± 0.64, p = 0.018) while it was decreased in spina bifida patients (P0 5.04 ± 4.75 vs P1 3.96 ± 4.35 vs P2 3.26 ± 4.03, p < 0.001). HF were significantly increased in spina bifida children during bladder filling (p = 0.002). In time domain, SDNN was increased only in control group during bladder filling. Parasympathetic activity domains were decreased in children with spina bifida at baseline. During the bladder filling phase, parasympathetic activity increased with fixed sympathetic activity in spina bifida group while the control group demonstrated a shifted balance toward sympathetic preponderance at the end of bladder filling. These findings may be related to the pathophysiology of neurogenic bladder in spina bifida.


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