Effects of body position on autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function in young, healthy adults

Abstract

BackgroundAnalysis of rhythmic patterns embedded within beat-to-beat variations in heart rate (heart rate variability) is a tool used to assess the balance of cardiac autonomic nervous activity and may be predictive for prognosis of some medical conditions, such as myocardial infarction. It has also been used to evaluate the impact of manipulative therapeutics and body position on autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system. However, few have compared cardiac autonomic activity in supine and prone positions, postures commonly assumed by patients in manual therapy. We intend to redress this deficiency.MethodsHeart rate, heart rate variability, and beat-to-beat blood pressure were measured in young, healthy non-smokers, during prone, supine, and sitting postures and with breathing paced at 0.25 Hz. Data were recorded for 5 minutes in each posture: Day 1 – prone and supine; Day 2 – prone and sitting. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to evaluate posture-related differences in blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate variability.ResultsProne versus supine: blood pressure and heart rate were significantly higher in the prone posture (p < 0.001). Prone versus sitting: blood pressure was higher and heart rate was lower in the prone posture (p < 0.05) and significant differences were found in some components of heart rate variability.ConclusionCardiac autonomic activity was not measurably different in prone and supine postures, but heart rate and blood pressure were. Although heart rate variability parameters indicated sympathetic dominance during sitting (supporting work of others), blood pressure was higher in the prone posture. These differences should be considered when autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function is studied in different postures.

Assessment of Heart Rates and Blood Pressure in Different <i>Salat</i> Positions

“…Electrocardiography (ECG) data were recorded by three electrodes that were attached to a subjects' chests in the standard Lead II configuration 10) and connected to a Schiller AT-102 electrocardiograph. BP was measured using an Omron SEM-1 Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor.…”

“…HR changes due to many factors such as biological and physiological responses (sympathetic, parasympathetic and endocrine) [6][7][8] , physical activities (exercises), behavioral and psychosocial factors 9) , environment (temperature and altitude) 6) , body positions and postures 10) , and others (medication, drugs, chemical substances and diseases). All the factors that are mentioned above also affect blood pressure 11) .…”

“…There are many studies that describe the correlation between meditation and its body positions or physical activities and their effects on HR, BP, and other hemodynamic parameters 10,[18][19][20][21][22] . For example 23) , a previous study compared three styles of yoga asana practice: the yoga posture, breathing exercises, and relaxation or resting posture.…”

Community Gardens as Health Promoters: Effects on Mental and Physical Stress Levels in Adults with and without Mental Disabilities

“…Turning over the soil, digging, and sowing seeds were performed in a standing position, while filling pots with soil was carried out in a squatting position. Thus, body position affects heart rate [67], with a significant increase occurring when the posture changes from horizontal to vertical, as the highest rate occurred while standing (p < 0.001) [68].…”

Body position and cardio-respiratory variables in older people

“…Reported findings related to body position and cardio-respiratory factors have varied for healthy, young adults [3][4][5] and one study has investigated these factors in a middle aged group [6].…”