Changes in resting heart rate variability across the menstrual cycle |
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| Authors: | Matthew S. Tenan R. Matthew Brothers Andrew J. Tweedell Anthony C. Hackney Lisa Griffin |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, , Austin, Texas, USA;2. United States Army Research Laboratory—Human Research and Engineering Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, , Maryland, USA;3. Endocrine Section—Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, , Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive indicator of autonomic control. This study examines HRV changes across a normal menstrual cycle and proposes a novel piecewise function controlling for the effects of breathing on HRV spectral parameters. A resting ECG was collected from 13 women at five points in their menstrual cycle. Both heart rate and breathing rate increased across the cycle (p < .01) while time‐domain variability decreased (p = .04). Use of the piecewise function for breathing rate in HRV spectral analysis was confirmed by a substantial increase in model goodness‐of‐fit. HRV spectral parameters, controlled for breathing with the piecewise function, confirm that the decrease in variability is likely due to a parasympathetic withdrawal, since high frequency HRV decreases (p = .02). |
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| Keywords: | Heart rate variability Autonomic nervous system Menstrual cycle Estrogen Progesterone |
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