Abstract

In this study, we investigated heart rate variability in women who exercise regularly, but with differing volumes of physical activity. Forty women participated and were allocated to either a ‘‘high’’ or ‘‘moderate’’ activity group. Heart rate as R-R intervals was recorded during supine rest and analysed using time domain, frequency domain, and Poincare´ plot techniques. All time domain and Poincare´ analysis measures revealed significant differences in heart rate variability between the ‘‘high’’ and ‘‘moderate’’ activity groups. Frequency domain analysis also revealed a significant difference between the two groups in absolute measures of high-frequency and low-frequency power, but not between measures such as the low- frequency/
highfrequency ratio, proposed to represent the sympathetic/parasympathetic balance of cardiac control. The results demonstrate that there is a significant difference in heart rate variability between women who engage in ‘‘high’’ compared with ‘‘moderate’’ volumes of physical activity, which may have implications for cardiac autonomic health. Verf.-Referat.