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Cheng S, Li W, Hui D, Ma J, Zhang T, Teng C, Dang W, Xiong K, Hu W, Cong L. Acute combined effects of concurrent physical activities on autonomic nervous activation during cognitive tasks. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1340061. [PMID: 38440348 PMCID: PMC10909997 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1340061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds: The validity of heart rate variability (HRV) has been substantiated in mental workload assessments. However, cognitive tasks often coincide with physical exertion in practical mental work, but their synergic effects on HRV remains insufficiently established. The study aims were to investigate the combined effects of cognitive and physical load on autonomic nerve functions. Methods: Thirty-five healthy male subjects (aged 23.5 ± 3.3 years) were eligible and enrolled in the study. The subjects engaged in n-back cognitive tasks (1-back, 2-back, and 3-back) under three distinct physical conditions, involving isotonic contraction of the left upper limb with loads of 0 kg, 3 kg, and 5 kg. Electrocardiogram signals and cognitive task performance were recorded throughout the tasks, and post-task assessment of subjective experiences were conducted using the NASA-TLX scale. Results: The execution of n-back tasks resulted in enhanced perceptions of task-load feelings and increased reaction times among subjects, accompanied by a decline in the accuracy rate (p < 0.05). These effects were synchronously intensified by the imposition of physical load. Comparative analysis with a no-physical-load scenario revealed significant alterations in the HRV of the subjects during the cognitive task under moderate and high physical conditions. The main features were a decreased power of the high frequency component (p < 0.05) and an increased low frequency component (p < 0.05), signifying an elevation in sympathetic activity. This physiological response manifested similarly at both moderate and high physical levels. In addition, a discernible linear correlation was observed between HRV and task-load feelings, as well as task performance under the influence of physical load (p < 0.05). Conclusion: HRV can serve as a viable indicator for assessing mental workload in the context of physical activities, making it suitable for real-world mental work scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Cheng
- Department of Aerospace Medical Equipment, School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenbin Li
- Department of Aerospace Hygiene, School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Duoduo Hui
- Department of Aerospace Medical Equipment, School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jin Ma
- Department of Aerospace Medical Equipment, School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Taihui Zhang
- Department of Aerospace Medical Equipment, School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chaolin Teng
- Department of Aerospace Medical Equipment, School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weitao Dang
- Department of Aerospace Medical Equipment, School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kaiwen Xiong
- Department of Aerospace Medical Equipment, School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wendong Hu
- Department of Aerospace Medical Equipment, School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lin Cong
- Department of Aerospace Medical Equipment, School of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Feasibility study for detection of mental stress and depression using pulse rate variability metrics via various durations. Biomed Signal Process Control 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2022.104145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Machado S, de Oliveira Sant'Ana L, Cid L, Teixeira D, Rodrigues F, Travassos B, Monteiro D. Impact of victory and defeat on the perceived stress and autonomic regulation of professional eSports athletes. Front Psychol 2022; 13:987149. [PMID: 36092047 PMCID: PMC9454608 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.987149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Competitive sports involve physiological, technical and psychological skills, which influence directly on individuals’ performance. This study aims to investigate the levels of perceived stress and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) before and after matches with victory and defeat in professional eSports athletes. Our hypothesis was that the winners would have better autonomic and stress responses after match, thus corroborating the literature on neurocardiac connections. Fifty male eSport players were selected players from 10 different Brazilian teams. The experiment was carried out in 2 sessions. Firstly, after signing the informed consent form, 24 h before the game, anthropometric, physical activity levels and time of expertise data were recorded only for sample characterization and the players were familiarized with the perceived stress scale—10 (PSS-10) and the HRV measurements. Secondly, players performed the PSS-10 and HRV recording at rest by 10 min 60 and 30 min before the game (i.e., baseline time) and 10 min after the end of the game. Overall, concerning PSS-10 our findings show that VG had significant reduced scores in post-game time compared to baseline (BL) and pre-game times, while DG had significant increased scores in post-game time compared to BL and pre-game times. Regarding HRV, our results demonstrate that VG had significant increase in RR, SDNN, rMSSD, pNN50 and HF, and significant decrease in LF and LF/HF, while DG had a significant decrease in RR, SDNN, rMSSD and HF, and significant increase in LF and LF/HF. It was observed that VG had better HRV responses (greater parasympathetic activation) as well as lower levels of perceived stress, while DG had worst HRV responses (greater sympathetic activation) and higher levels of perceived stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Machado
- Department of Sports Methods and Techniques, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
- Department of Sports Science, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
- Laboratory of Physical Activity Neuroscience, Neurodiversity Institute, Queimados, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Sergio Machado,
| | | | - Luis Cid
- Research Center in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Polytechnic of Santarém (ESDRM-IPSantarém), Rio Maior, Portugal
- Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), Leiria, Portugal
| | - Diogo Teixeira
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal
- Research Center in Sport, Physical Education, and Exercise and Health (CIDEFES), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filipe Rodrigues
- Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), Leiria, Portugal
- ESECS, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal
| | - Bruno Travassos
- Department of Sports Science, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
- Research Center in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Portugal Football School, Portuguese Football Federation, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
| | - Diogo Monteiro
- Research Center in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), Leiria, Portugal
- ESECS, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal
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