Key result
Working at varying heights altered the very low frequency band of heart rate variability, with the lowest VLF bands at 10 m for experienced males (79.25 ms2, p<0.001) and 6 m for females.
Why the study?
The association between height-induced stress, falling accidents, and heart rate variability using the very low frequency band had not been studied in adolescent populations.
Does performing tasks at varying heights affect heart rate variability in adolescents?
Observational (n=90)
Does performing tasks at varying heights affect heart rate variability in adolescents?
Increased working heights are associated with changes in the very low frequency band of heart rate variability, suggesting height-induced stress that may differ by sex and experience.
Height tasks may alter adolescent autonomic balance; hypothesis-generating for sex/experience effects, needs prospective confirmation before practice implications.
Previous studies have revealed the association between falling accidents and stress, measured via heart rate variability (HRV). However, none have studied this association using the very low frequency (VLF) band of HRV in adolescent populations. This study aimed to fill this gap by recruiting 90 adolescents to perform a light physical task at varying heights. Heart rates were used to calculate short-term HRV. The results showed a positive correlation between VLF bands and parasympathetic indices and a negative correlation with sympathetic indices, demonstrating the balancing effects of the autonomic modulation associated with height. The lowest VLF bands were obtained as 79.25 ms2 at 10 m (p < 0.001) and 62.87 ms2 at 9 m (p < 0.001) for the experienced and non-experienced male groups, respectively, and 28.09 ms2 at 6 m (p = 0.001) for the female group. The results also suggested the need for a relatively lower height restriction for female adolescents than for males. Practitioner summary: Increased working heights can cause stress, which leads to falling accidents. The very low frequency band was shown to be associated with parasympathetic and sympathetic indices. Furthermore, the results suggested that the height limit necessary for providing a safe working environment may be lower for female adolescents than for males. Abbreviations: HRV: heart rate variability; VLF: very low frequency; ms2: absolute power; ANS: autonomic nervous system; PNS: parasympathetic nervous system; SNS: sympathetic nervous system; RR: intervals between two successive peaks of R waves; RMSSD: root mean square of successive RR interval differences; SD1: Poincaré plot index of standard deviation 1; SD2: Poincaré plot index of standard deviation 2; HF: high frequency; LF: low frequency; BMI: body mass index; ECG: electrocardiography; HR: heart rate; FFT: fast Fourier transformation; IQR: interquartile range; r: non-parametric partial correlation coefficient; η2: eta-squared; EM: experienced males; NM: non-experienced males; NF: non-experienced females; EEG: electroencephalogram
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Chuangchai et al. (2022) reported an observational. Varying heights was evaluated on Very low frequency (VLF) band of heart rate variability (p=<0.001). Working at varying heights altered the very low frequency band of heart rate variability, with the lowest VLF bands at 10 m for experienced males (79.25 ms2, p<0.001) and 6 m for females.
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