Regular structured sports training was associated with significantly higher total power (2764.65 vs. 2156.60 ms², P<0.001) and high-frequency power compared to a sedentary lifestyle.
Cross-Sectional (n=80)
Does regular structured sports training improve heart rate variability parameters in healthy young adults aged 18-25 years compared to minimal physical activity?
Regular sports training in young adults is associated with enhanced parasympathetic tone and overall heart rate variability compared to a sedentary lifestyle.
Absolute Event Rate: 2764.65% vs 2156.6%
p-value: p=<0.001
The present study aimed to compare heart rate variability (HRV) parameters between athletes and sedentary individuals aged 18–25 years. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 80 healthy young adults divided into two groups: 40 athletes engaged in regular structured sports training and 40 sedentary individuals with minimal physical activity. Five-minute electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings were obtained in the supine position under controlled laboratory conditions. Total power was significantly higher in athletes than in sedentary individuals (2764.65 standard deviation (SD)=656.17 ms² vs. 2156.60 SD=713.11 ms², P<0.001). High-frequency (HF) power was also significantly higher in athletes compared with sedentary individuals (1118.42 SD=379.79 ms² vs. 726.23 SD=609.52 ms², P<0.001). In contrast, low-frequency (LF) power did not differ significantly between the two groups (1012.34 SD=426.18 ms² vs. 1087.85 SD=472.85 ms², P=0.455). LF normalized unit (LFnu) was lower in athletes than in sedentary individuals, although the difference was not statistically significant (55.47 SD=11.50 vs. 60.88 SD=16.15, P=0.088). HF normalized unit (HFnu) was significantly higher in athletes than in sedentary individuals (51.90 SD=13.28 vs. 39.01 SD=16.08, P<0.001). The LF/HF ratio was significantly lower in athletes compared with sedentary individuals (1.07 SD=0.63 vs. 1.96 SD=1.19, P<0.001). SD of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNNs) was significantly higher in athletes than in sedentary individuals (83.30 SD=32.00 ms vs. 54.58 SD=35.86 ms, P<0.001). Similarly, root mean square of successive differences (rMSSD) was significantly higher in athletes compared with sedentary individuals (64.86 SD=23.78 ms vs. 42.67 SD=35.46 ms, P<0.001). The percentage of normal-to-normal intervals that differ by more than 50 milliseconds (pNN50) value was also significantly higher in athletes than in sedentary individuals (33.35 SD=13.16% vs. 13.67 SD=16.11%, P<0.001). HRV assessment provides a reliable non-invasive marker for evaluating cardiovascular health and training effects in young adults.
Saini et al. (Wed,) conducted a cross-sectional in healthy young adults (n=80). Regular structured sports training vs. Sedentary lifestyle was evaluated on Total power (ms²) (p=<0.001). Regular structured sports training was associated with significantly higher total power (2764.65 vs. 2156.60 ms², P<0.001) and high-frequency power compared to a sedentary lifestyle.