Stretching increases heart rate variability in healthy athletes complaining about limited muscular flexibility.
An increase in muscular flexibility, as well as a significant beneficial effect on heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV), was observed in healthy male athletes after performing a standardized 15-minute stretching-program over a period of 28 days. We believe the HRV increase to be due, at least in part, to the improved vagal and/or diminished sympathetic control. Therefore, we recommend stretching as an effective and gentle technique for health protection.
Mueck-Weymann
Michael
M
Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany. michael.mueck@web.de
Janshoff
G
G
Mueck
H
H
D000328:Adult; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018583:Pliability; D012016:Reference Values; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*