Effect of an Exergaming-Based Dance Training Paradigm on Autonomic Nervous System Modulation in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if an exergaming-based dance training protocol can improve heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy older adults. A total of 20 healthy older adults (≥65 years old) were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group received an exergaming-based dance aerobic training for 6 weeks, while the control group received a 1-hr education on conventional physical exercises. Data obtained from HRV analysis pre- (Week 0) and postintervention (Week 7) consisted of high-frequency power, low- and high-frequency ratio, and root mean square of differences and percentage of adjacent RR intervals with a difference of duration greater than 50 ms values. HRV was assessed during rest and during a 6-min walk test. In addition, the YMCA submaximal cycle ergometer test was used to acquire estimated maximal O2 consumption pre- and postintervention. After the training, the intervention group showed significant improvement in HRV high-frequency power, root mean square of differences, and percentage of adjacent RR intervals with a difference of duration greater than 50 ms values in both rest and 6-min walk test conditions compared with the control group. Similarly, the intervention group showed higher maximal O2 consumption compared with the control group after the training. Our results support the effectiveness of an exergaming-based dance aerobic training on improving cardiac autonomic control in aging.

Effects of different exercise interventions on heart rate variability and cardiovascular health factors in older adults: a systematic review

“…Regarding control groups, the mean age ranged from 58.5 [ 60 , 61 ] to 78.8 years [ 22 ]. Eight trials comprised female and male participants [ 5 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 46 , 56 , 59 , 60 ]. Four trials considered only female [ 21 , 58 , 60 , 61 ] and one study included only male participants [ 62 ].…”

“…Six studies recorded while the participants were sitting [ 5 , 18 , 46 , 56 , 58 , 59 ]. A supine position was chosen in five studies [ 20 , 22 , 57 , 60 , 61 ] and one study did not provide any information about the position during the recording [ 21 ]. Eight studies recorded NN intervals for a fixed time range.…”

“…n.r. 3 sessions Varas-Diaz et al, 2020 [ 20 ] 20 Polar RS800CX chest belt 5 min Coordinative (dancing) yes 10.5 19.5 Age: 68.6 ± 5.7 n.r. 6 weeks 7 women, 13 men supine 1.000 Hz 5 (week 1–2), 3 (week 3–4) & 2 sessions (week 5–6) Multimodal training Eggenberger et al, 2020 [ 59 ] 70 Polar RS800CX chest belt 5 min Multimodal (DG: dancing, resistance & balance; MG: treadmill walking, memory training, resistance & balance; TG: treadmill walking, resistance & balance) no 7 21 Age: 78.8 n.r.…”

“…Reduced cardiac autonomic control is associated with a number of pathological conditions, including coronary heart disease and mortality [ 11 – 13 ], future functional decline [ 14 ], chronic heart failure [ 15 ], sarcopenia [ 16 ], and hypertension [ 17 ]. This contributes to increased risk for cardiovascular diseases [ 18 – 20 ], decreased physical fitness [ 21 ], and quality of life in older adults [ 22 ].…”

Four Weeks of Detraining Induced by COVID-19 Reverse Cardiac Improvements from Eight Weeks of Fitness-Dance Training in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

“…Concerning the HRV-related parameters, previous studies have primarily measured these parameters in a resting state and have revealed contradictory results. Indeed, a significant increase of older adults’ resting HRV has been previously reported following 6 months of aerobic exercise training (31 ± 5 ms) [ 82 ], 6 weeks [ 83 ] or 6 months [ 84 ] of exergaming-based dance training, as well as 12 months of supervised stretching and aerobic exercise training [ 85 ]. However, Jakubec et al [ 86 ] and Shen et al [ 87 ] failed to report clear HRV improvements following 6 months or 10 weeks of aerobic exercise training, respectively.…”