Beneficial impacts of physical activity on heart rate variability: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Author: Ouahiba El-Malahi1, Darya Mohajeri1, Raluca Mincu1, Alexander Bäuerle2, Korbinian Rothenaicher1, Ramtin Knuschke1, Christos Rammos1, Tienush Rassaf1, Julia Lortz1
Affiliation:
1 Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West-German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
2 Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Conference/Journal: PLoS One
Date published: 2024 Apr 5
Other:
Volume ID: 19 , Issue ID: 4 , Pages: e0299793 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299793. , Word Count: 241
Background:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Heart rate variability (HRV) represents the modulatory capacity of the autonomous nervous system and influences mortality. By surveying this meta-analysis, we investigated the impact of physical activity on HRV.
Methods:
Databases, online journal libraries and clinical trial registries were searched for publications of randomized controlled and non-randomized controlled trials concerning adults with coronary artery disease (CAD)/ischemic heart disease (IHD), congestive heart failure (CHF), peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) joining an intervention group with physical activity or a control group with usual care or no intervention. Extracted time-domain and frequency-domain parameter of HRV were analyzed in a meta-analysis using a random effect model. Subgroup analyses concerning intervention type, study design and type of heart disease and sensitivity analysis were performed.
Results:
Significant results were obtained for RR-Interval (p = 0.05) and standard deviation of Normal-to-Normal intervals (SDNN) (p = 0.01) for short-term assessment and for the ratio of low-frequency power (LF) to high-frequency power (HF) (p = 0.05) for 24-hour assessment. Subgroup analyses also resulted significant: root-mean-square difference of successive normal R-R intervals (RMSSD) (p = 0.01), SDNN (p = 0.02) and HF (p < 0.01) concerning CHF.
Conclusion:
We were able to demonstrate the positive impact of physical activity on HRV, especially in patients with CHF. Cardiac rehabilitation exercise programs need to be individualized to identify the most beneficial method of training for improving the prognosis of patients with CVD.
PMID: 38578755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299793
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