ISCHEMIC PRECONDITIONING IMPROVES AUTONOMIC MODULATION AFTER SESSION OF RESISTANCE EXERCISE

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in a session of resistance exercise (RE) for upper and lower limbs on the heart rate variability (HRV) in normotensive and trained men. sixteen normotensive and trained men visit the laboratory in five sessions in non-consecutive days. The first two sessions subjects performed one repetition maximum (RM) test and retest, and the next three visits they performed the experimental protocols: a) RE (CON), b) IPC+RE (IPC), c) SHAM+RE (SHAM). RE were performed in 3 sets at 80% 1RM until concentric failure. IPC consisted of 4x5-mins of vascular occlusion at 220 mmHg alternating with 5-min of reperfusion. SHAM protocol followed the same IPC method with 20mmHg vascular occlusion. A significant decrease in LF­nu and RMSSDms (p=0.001) was found from baseline for IPC, SHAM, and CON. A significant increase in HFnu and LF/HF (p=0.001) was found from baseline for IPC, SHAM, and CON. A significant decrease in LF­nu and LF/HF was observed from 60-min post for IPC vs. SHAM and IPC vs. CON (p<0.05). A significant increase in HFnu was observed from 60-min post for IPC vs. SHAM and IPC vs. CON (p<0.05). A significant increase in RMSSDms was found from post-60 for IPC vs. SHAM (p < 0.05). RE followed IPC shows significantly improvements in the autonomic cardiac modulation, accelerating the autonomic recovery after the RE session, by increasing the vagal activity and reducing the sympathetic activation when compared to RE and SHAM protocols.

Differential Effects of Focused Attention and Open Monitoring Meditation on Autonomic Cardiac Modulation and Cortisol Secretion

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been used widely as a useful tool for the alleviation of various stress-related symptoms. However, the effects of MBIs on stress-related physiological activity have not yet been ascertained. MBIs primarily consist of focused-attention (FA) and open-monitoring (OM) meditation. Since differing effects of FA and OM meditation on brain activities and cognitive tasks have been mentioned, we hypothesized that FA and OM meditation have also differing effects on stress-related physiological activity. In this study, we examined the effects of FA and OM meditation on autonomic cardiac modulation and cortisol secretion. Forty-one healthy adults (aged 20–46 years) who were meditation novices experienced 30-min FA and OM meditation tasks by listening to instructions. During resting- and meditation-states, electrocardiogram transducers were attached to participants to measure the R-R interval, which were used to evaluate heart rate (HR) and perform heart rate variability (HRV) analyses. Saliva samples were obtained from participants pre- and post-meditation to measure salivary cortisol levels. Results showed that FA meditation induced a decrease in HR and an increase in the root mean square of successive differences (rMSDD). In contrast, OM meditation induced an increase in the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN) to rMSSD ratio (SDNN/rMSSD) and a decrease in salivary cortisol levels. These results suggest that FA meditation elevates physiological relaxation, whereas OM meditation elevates physiological arousal and reduces stress.

Comparison of effect of aquatic interventions on cardiac modulation of obese young males in motion. A crossover trial

Study aim: The study aimed to compare the effects of passive Watsu therapy and immersion on cardiac locomotor synchronization of obese young males. Material and methods: Twenty-six volunteer obese males participated in this study (age 18.3 ± 0.32, BMI 36.9 ± 6.52). Heart rate variability parameters were recorded in different positions by the Polar H7 heart rate sensor and HRV+ software. Participants were assigned to two groups, randomly, in a single-blinded crossover design. Kubios HRV 2.2 and MATLAB were used to analyze the bio-signals. Statistical analysis was performed via t-test and ANOVA (analysis of variance) using SPSS. For the significance in results and group comparison, the paired t-test and the independent t-test were used respectively. Results: Combined results indicated that Watsu therapy increased 3 HRV vertical position parameters and immersion increased 3 HRV non-locomotor parameters, significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings show that Watsu and immersion improved the specific autonomic cardiac modulation. However, non-contact immersion seemed to provide better synchronization of cardiac control and locomotion. The close contact Watsu approach provided improvements in autonomic cardiac regulation. Collectively, these improvements suggest the combination of both therapies in maximizing the cardiac benefits sought by aquatic therapy programs.

Autonomic cardiac modulation measured with a noninvasive device during psychophysiological preparation predicts flow state during piano performance: A Pilot Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a common experience among elite and professional musicians and impedes performers from achieving flow state, or a state of focused, sustained attention and engagement in one’s task. Use of non-invasive monitoring devices to understand the autonomic components of flow state can provide knowledge to better treat MPA. The aim of this study was to use non-invasive monitoring of heart rate variability (HRV) as a physiologic indicator of autonomic-cardiac activity and its association with peak flow. OBJECTIVE We recruited individuals between the ages of 15 and 22 years who had at least a Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Grade 8 piano certification. Participants were asked to prepare three pieces: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C Major, Erik Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1, and a piece of their choice (Bach, Satie and a song of their own choosing). Performer heart rate data were measured with a Polar 800 watch in 5-minute periods immediately before performances, during performances and post-performance. HRV indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation of the heart were analyzed in 2.5-minute segments to monitor short-term autonomic adjustments using the Kubios HRV Software. Flow state was measured using the 36-item Flow State Scale (FSS). METHODS Our sample consisted of 22 RCM Grade 8 certified pianists (9 female, 13 male, age =20 + 1.6) The highest level of flow was observed for the Bach performance (3.87/5). Decreased HRV was observed during the performance of the piece, as indicated by a significant drop in total power (54% reduction) (p < 0.0001). This indicated a shift in increased sympathetic activity or vagal withdrawal. Flow state during the pre-performance phase was independently and positively associated with parasympathetic activity (β = 0.84, p=0.013), and during performance it was inversely associated with sympathetic activity (β = -0.79, p=0.04) RESULTS Our sample consisted of 22 RCM Grade 8 certified pianists (9 female, 13 male, age =20 + 1.6) The highest level of flow was observed for the Bach performance (3.87/5). Decreased HRV was observed during the performance of the piece, as indicated by a significant drop in total power (54% reduction) (p < 0.0001). This indicated a shift in increased sympathetic activity or vagal withdrawal. Flow state during the pre-performance phase was independently and positively associated with parasympathetic activity (β = 0.84, p=0.013), and during performance it was inversely associated with sympathetic activity (β = -0.79, p=0.04) CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that non-invasive monitoring of autonomic-cardiac modulation can provide novel insight into time-sensitive changes in the physiologic activity that is associated with psychological flow state. Evidence of increased parasympathetic activity and reduced sympathetic activity in the pre-performance phase suggests that flow state may be as much a consequence of physiological preparation immediately prior to performance as it is a physiologic response during the performance itself. Evidence of this correlation between autonomic modulation of the heart and achievement of flow state may pave the way for further research on enhancing musical performance and targeting MPA through HRV-based interventions. Future directions may involve investigation of other physiological manifestations in order to identify essential physiologic components of flow state, which may include such as facial or skeletal muscle activation, electrodermal activation and distinct patterns of neurological response via electroencephalography measurements.