review · Cureus
This meta-analysis investigated how exercise training affects heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in healthy adults. Researchers analysed data from 16 randomised controlled trials involving 623 participants, searching databases like PubMed and Scopus. The findings showed that exercise training significantly improved several HRV parameters, including the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and the absolute power of the high-frequency (HF) band. These improvements suggest enhanced vagal-related activity and overall autonomic nervous system balance. The study also noted that factors such as sex, age, and the specific type of exercise might influence these effects on certain HRV indices.
This research is important because it provides strong evidence that exercise training positively influences heart rate variability, a key indicator of cardiovascular health and the body's ability to adapt to stress. Understanding these physiological benefits can reinforce public health messages about the importance of regular physical activity for maintaining a healthy heart and nervous system.
The abstract focuses on the physiological underpinnings of exercise benefits and aims to bridge a knowledge gap in understanding autonomic modulation. It does not indicate a direct application pathway, specific products, or services that could be commercialised. This research provides foundational knowledge rather than near-market solutions.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of exercise training on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters associated with the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving healthy adults (aged ≥ 18 years) were included. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases to identify relevant studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Sixteen RCTs with a total of 623 participants were selected for the final analysis. The analysis showed that exercise training improved the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) (SMD: 0.58 (0.16, 1.00); p = 0.007), the root mean square of successive differences in heart period series (RMSSD) (SMD: 0.84 (0.36, 1.31); p = 0.0005), and the absolute power of high-frequency band (HF) (SMD: 0.89 (0.27, 1.51); p = 0.005) parameters compared to the control group. Analysis of the moderator variables showed that the effect of exercise on HRV indices may be influenced by sex, age, and type of exercise used, specifically in HF band, absolute power of low-frequency band (LF), and LF/HF ratio parameters. Despite the limited number of existing RCTs related to the subject, the results suggest that exercise training enhances HRV parameters associated with vagal-related activity (RMSSD and HF) and both sympathetic and parasympathetic activities (SDNN). This study overcomes the lack of meta-analyses on the effects of exercise training on autonomic modulation among healthy adults and may bridge the gap in understanding the potential physiological underpinnings of the acknowledged positive health benefits of exercise.
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DOI: 10.7759/cureus.62465
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