Hopelessness is associated with decreased heart rate variability during championship chess games.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical observations suggest that negative affects such as helplessness/hopelessness (HE/HO) may induce autonomic duration; affects were assessed for every move after reconstruction of the games. In all games compiled, 18 situation of intense confidence/optimism and 20 of intense helplessness/hopelessness were observed.


RESULTS
Intense affects of HE/HO were associated with decreasing HF-HRV (Fisher exact test, p =.003), increasing "nervousness" (p =.0005), decreasing "optimism" (p =.0005), and decreasing "calmness" (p =.0005).


CONCLUSIONS
Investigation of championship chess game players with an ELO strength > or = 2300 in a natural field setting revealed increasing HE/HO being associated with reduced HF-HRV suggestive of vagal withdrawal. Thus, our data may help link negative mood states, autonomic nervous system disturbances, and cardiac events.
Schwarz
Alfons M
AM
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Division Lory, University of Berne Medical School, Berne, Switzerland.
Schächinger
Hartmut
H
Adler
Rolf H
RH
Goetz
Stefan M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013686:Telemetry; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology