Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effect of exercise on
improving heart rate variability, which is a parameter
to asses‟ autonomic control?
Methodology: It was a control trial conducted at
Islamic International Medical College and CMH
Kharian Medical College from May to December
2018. Participants were labelled as stressed and
controls on the basis of DASS questionnaire Performa.
Study included 40 stressed participants for recording
of heart rate variability. Participants were subjected to
cycling exercise, five days a week for a period of six
consecutive weeks after which heart rate variability
was recorded again.
Results: There was significant reduction in LFms2
and LFnu and LF/HF post exercise (p = 0.004, 0.001,
and 0.001, respectively). HFnu after exercise
significantly increased in stressed subjects (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: This study suggests that exercise
attenuates stress induced changes in autonomic system
and relieves stress.
Keywords: Stress, heart rate variability, frequency
domain methods, low frequency, moderate exercise.
