Acute effects of inspiratory loading in older women: Where the breath meets the heart

Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2021 Mar:285:103589. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2020.103589. Epub 2020 Nov 26.

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that inspiratory resistive loading (IRL) increases vagal-mediated complexity of heart rate variability (HRV) in older women. We recorded heart rate continually during 30 breaths with Sham or IRL (30 % of maximal inspiratory pressure) in sitting position. The normalized spectral power in the low (LFn) and high (HFn) frequency bands and the symbolic dynamics measures for 0 V, 2UV and 2 L V were obtained. HFn was higher and LFn was lower during IRL than Sham (p < 0.05). During IRL, 2UV component increased more than Sham (p < 0.05) while 0 V index remained unchanged (p> 0.05). In conclusion, acute IRL improved vagal modulation index of both linear (spectral analysis) and non-linear analysis (symbolic dynamics) in older women.

Keywords: Aging; Heart rate variability; Maximal inspiratory pressure; Respiratory muscles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Autonomic Nervous System / physiology*
  • Breathing Exercises*
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Inhalation / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Respiratory Muscles / physiology*
  • Respiratory Rate / physiology
  • Vagus Nerve / physiology