Acute and Chronic Effects of Exercise on Heart Rate Variability in Adults and Children: A Review

Abstract

Adults’ cardiac autonomic regulation during exercise and in relation to peak oxygen uptake is well understood, however the situation in children is sparsely documented. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis provides a non-invasive tool to research sympathovagal balance. A predominance of parasympathetic mediated modulation is characterized by a greater degree of HRV and vice versa. The available data indicate the child’s response to be similar to that observed in adults; heart rate increase arises through withdrawal of parasympathetic modulation with ensuing increase in sympathetic modulation; aerobic training increases HRV and a positive correlation between peak oxygen uptake and a parasympathetic preponderance.