Role of Exercise in Modulating Autonomic Response to Psychological Stress

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.