Key result
Heart rate variability biofeedback demonstrated a promising ability to improve respiratory mechanics in 115 athletes across 4 randomized controlled trials.
Why the study?
No quantitative review had examined the influence of heart rate variability biofeedback on autonomic and respiration responses in the athlete population.
Does heart rate variability biofeedback improve heart rate variability and respiration in athletes?
Meta-Analysis (n=115)
Does heart rate variability biofeedback improve heart rate variability and respiration in athletes?
Heart rate variability biofeedback shows promise for improving respiratory mechanics in athletes, though more research is needed to confirm its effects on autonomic modulation.
May aid respiratory mechanics in athletes; extends small RCT meta-analysis yet leaves autonomic effects unconfirmed.
To date, there is no quantitative review examining the influence of heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV BFB) on the athlete population. Such an undertaking may provide valuable information on the autonomic and respiration responses of athletes when performing HRV BFB. Thus, purpose of this preliminary systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of HRV BFB on HRV and respiration of athletes. Searches of Springerlink, SportDiscus, Web of Science, PROQUEST Academic Research Library, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect were conducted for studies that met the following criteria: (1) experimental studies involving athletes that underwent randomized control trial; (2) availability of HRV BFB as a treatment compared with a control (CON)/placebo (PLA); (3) any pre and post HRV variable and/or breathing frequency as dependent variable/s; and, (4) peer-reviewed articles written in English. Four out of 660 studies involving 115 athletes (25 females and 90 males) ages 16-30 years old were assessed in this review. Preliminary findings suggest the promising ability of HRV BFB to improve respiratory mechanics in athlete population. More work is needed to determine the autonomic modulatory effect of HRV BFB in athletes.
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Pagaduan et al. (2021) conducted a meta-analysis in Athletes (n=115). Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV BFB) vs. Control or placebo was evaluated on HRV variables and breathing frequency. Heart rate variability biofeedback demonstrated a promising ability to improve respiratory mechanics in 115 athletes across 4 randomized controlled trials.
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