Influence of sex, age and level of physical activity in daily life in heart rate variability in adults between 20 and 80 years

• Grant number: 14/18606-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2015
• End date: May 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Victor Zuniga Dourado
• Grantee: Giovanna Domingues Spina
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/07282-6 - Level of physical activity and fitness and its association with pulmonary function decline in adults in the city of Santos, Brazil, AP.JP

Abstract

Results in the literature suggest significant influence of sex and age on heart rate variability (HRV). However, there is limited information about this influence adjusted by the level of physical activity in daily life (PADL) assessed by triaxial accelerometry. We hypothesized that the influence of gender and age on HRV is attenuated or absent when taken into account the PADL. It is a cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the influence of gender and age on HRV in adults, adjusted for the confounding effect of PADL. Will be selected at least 200 volunteers (20-80 years) men and women in equal proportion. Participants will be stratified into the following age groups: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-80 years. Will be submitted to anthropometric and body composition. To assess HRV, the intervals between the R waves (IRR) will be recorded at rest (10 minutes) using a heart rate monitor. For time-domain analysis, the mean RR, SDNN, RMSSD and pNN50 be determined. To analyze the frequency domain HF, LF and LF / HF ratio will be determined. Using the Poincaré plot will quantify the SD1 and SD2 to, and the relationship between these two indices. The PADL will be evaluated during seven days by a triaxial accelerometer. We expect the study to identify changes in HRV related to age and sex, free from confounding effect of PADL. Our study will include accurate assessment of this index, and probably find influences of sex and age less important than those described previously.