Vigorous Exercise Improves Heart Rate Variability in Female University Students

Heart rate variability (HRV) serves as a window into autonomic nervous system health, reflecting how well our bodies adapt to stress and recover. This study investigated whether physical activity levels influence HRV and perceived stress in healthy female university students, a population known for high stress levels.

Researchers recruited 52 normal-weight female university students aged 18-30 and carefully controlled for hormonal influences by timing measurements during specific menstrual cycle phases. They measured HRV using Polar H10 monitors over three days and assessed physical activity levels using standardized questionnaires, categorizing participants into low-moderate or vigorous activity groups.

The results revealed that women engaging in vigorous physical activity demonstrated superior autonomic function. They showed higher SDNN values (indicating better overall HRV) and lower sympathetic nervous system activity at rest compared to their less active peers. Total physical activity volume significantly influenced multiple HRV parameters, suggesting a dose-response relationship.

Surprisingly, perceived stress levels were similar between groups, and stress scores showed no correlation with HRV measures. This disconnect suggests that subjective stress perception may not accurately reflect objective physiological stress responses in young women.

These findings support exercise as a powerful tool for optimizing autonomic nervous system function, potentially improving stress resilience and cardiovascular health. However, the lack of correlation between perceived and physiological stress markers highlights the complexity of stress assessment and the importance of objective measurements in health evaluation.