title: The role of physical activity and heart rate variability for the control of work related stress.
abstract: Physical activity (PA) and exercise are often used as tools to reduce stress and therefore the risk for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Meanwhile, heart rate variability (HRV) has been utilized to assess both stress and PA or exercise influences. The objective of the present review was to examine the current literature in regards to workplace stress, PA/exercise and HRV to encourage further studies. We considered original articles from known databases (PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge) over the last 10 years that examined these important factors. A total of seven studies were identified with workplace stress strongly associated with reduced HRV in workers. Longitudinal workplace PA interventions may provide a means to improve worker stress levels and potentially cardiovascular risk with mechanisms still to be clarified. Future studies are recommended to identify the impact of PA, exercise, and fitness on stress levels and HRV in workers and their subsequent influence on cardiovascular health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Laís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tonello
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fábio B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jeniffer W S
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carmen S G
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, James Cook University Queensland, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Leicht
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Boullosa
keywords: allostatic load; autonomic nervous system; employees; exercise; physical fitness