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Heart period variability of trained and untrained men at rest and during mental challenge

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2016

STEPHEN H. BOUTCHER ,
F. W. NUGENT ,
PETER F. McLAREN  and
ARTHUR L. WELTMAN
STEPHEN H. BOUTCHER
Affiliation:
University of Exeter, United Kingdom
F. W. NUGENT
Affiliation:
University of Virginia, USA
PETER F. McLAREN
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
ARTHUR L. WELTMAN
Affiliation:
University of Virginia, USA
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Abstract

The effect of aerobic training on parasympathetic reactivity to mental stress is unclear. Thus, the parasympathetic response, as assessed by time series analysis of heart period variability (HPVts), of 10 trained male runners (trained group), 10 inherently low resting heart rate untrained men (low HR group), and 10 normal resting HR men (control group) at rest and to two mental stressors was examined. Participants completed a mental arithmetic and Stroop task. Resting HPVts at high and medium frequencies was significantly greater for the trained and the low HR groups than for the control group. Significantly greater decreases in HPVts at the medium frequency during arithmetic recovery were measured for the trained and low HR groups compared with the response of the control group. Significantly greater decreases in HPVts at both the the high and medium frequencies during the first two epochs of the Stroop occurred only for the trained and low HR groups. These results suggest that the greater HPVts at rest and decline in HPVts during and after mental challenge is influenced by both aerobic training and genetic inheritance.

Keywords

Aerobic trainingGenetic influenceMental arithmeticStroop test
Type
Research Article
Information
Psychophysiology , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , January 1998 , pp. 16 - 22
Copyright
1998 Society for Psychophysiological Research

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