The effects of relaxation techniques following acute, high intensity football training on parasympathetic reactivation
BackgroundEvidence shows relaxation techniques reactivate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) following physiological stressors such as exercise. As such, these techniques may be useful following exercise training of high intensity sports, like collegiate football.PurposeTo evaluate the impact...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1267631/full |
| _version_ | 1797449571259908096 |
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| author | Eric Renaghan Michael Joseph Wishon Harrison L. Wittels Luis A. Feigenbaum Luis A. Feigenbaum Kyle Bellamy Michael Hatfield Joe Girardi Stephen Lee Samantha M. McDonald Samantha M. McDonald S. Howard Wittels S. Howard Wittels S. Howard Wittels S. Howard Wittels |
| author_facet | Eric Renaghan Michael Joseph Wishon Harrison L. Wittels Luis A. Feigenbaum Luis A. Feigenbaum Kyle Bellamy Michael Hatfield Joe Girardi Stephen Lee Samantha M. McDonald Samantha M. McDonald S. Howard Wittels S. Howard Wittels S. Howard Wittels S. Howard Wittels |
| author_sort | Eric Renaghan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundEvidence shows relaxation techniques reactivate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) following physiological stressors such as exercise. As such, these techniques may be useful following exercise training of high intensity sports, like collegiate football.PurposeTo evaluate the impact of mindfulness and rest activities on PNS reactivation following training sessions, in a sample of Division-I collegiate, male football athletes.MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional, pre-post experimental design among 38 football athletes. Following three training sessions, each separated by one week, athletes were exposed to three groups: mindfulness, rest, and no-intervention. Athletes in the mindfulness group laid supine in a darkened room, while performing 15 min of guided breathing and body scans. The rest group remained seated in a lighted room, performing 15 min of restful activities (e.g., talking). The no-intervention group was instructed to perform usual post-training activities (e.g., showering). Heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR) and two HR variability (HRV) indices were measured via an armband monitor (Warfighter Monitor, Tiger Tech Solutions, Inc, Miami, FL) equipped with electrocardiographic and photoplethysmography capabilities. HRV indices included standard deviation of the N-N intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD). Within and between-group differences were determined via analysis of variance (ANOVA) and corrected for multiple comparisons familywise error.ResultsStatistically significant reductions in HR and RR were observed across all groups: −81.6, −66.4, −40.9 bpm and −31.7, −26.9, and −19.0 breaths⋅min−1, respectively. The mindfulness and rest groups exhibited a larger within-group reduction in HR and RR compared to the no-intervention group, p < 0.0000. Additionally, the mindfulness group showed a larger reduction in HR and RR compared to the rest group, p < 0.05. Post-intervention HR and RRs were significantly lower in the mindfulness group relative to the no-intervention group (77.0 vs. 120.1 bpm, respectively). Similar results were observed for RR (15.0 vs. 23.6 breaths⋅min−1, respectively) and HRV indices (SDNN: 46.9 vs. 33.1 ms and rMSSD: 17.9 vs. 13.8 ms, respectively) Athletes in the rest group showed significantly lower post-intervention HR (−30.2 bpm, 89.9 vs. 120.1 bpm, respectively), RR (−4.3 breaths⋅min−1, 19.3 vs. 23.6 breaths⋅min−1, respectively) and significantly higher HRV (SDNN: 42.9 vs. 33.1 ms and rMSSD: 16.7 vs. 13.8 ms, respectively) compared to their no-intervention counterparts.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that athletes engaging in either 15-minute guided mindfulness or rest activities (e.g., sitting) post training, may facilitate PNS reactivation. Implementing these strategies may accelerate recovery, improving performance. Longitudinal, randomized controlled trials among diverse sports are encouraged. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:27:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8911c265d61545b0acc39fb59e534b19 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:27:54Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj.art-8911c265d61545b0acc39fb59e534b192023-11-28T05:40:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672023-11-01510.3389/fspor.2023.12676311267631The effects of relaxation techniques following acute, high intensity football training on parasympathetic reactivationEric Renaghan0Michael Joseph Wishon1Harrison L. Wittels2Luis A. Feigenbaum3Luis A. Feigenbaum4Kyle Bellamy5Michael Hatfield6Joe Girardi7Stephen Lee8Samantha M. McDonald9Samantha M. McDonald10S. Howard Wittels11S. Howard Wittels12S. Howard Wittels13S. Howard Wittels14Department of Athletics, Sport Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United StatesTiger Tech Solutions, Inc., Miami, FL, United StatesTiger Tech Solutions, Inc., Miami, FL, United StatesDepartment of Athletics, Sport Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United StatesDepartment of Physical Therapy, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United StatesDepartment of Athletics, Nutrition, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United StatesMarine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), Camp Lejeune, NC, United StatesDepartment of Physical Therapy, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United StatesUnited States Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD, United StatesTiger Tech Solutions, Inc., Miami, FL, United StatesSchool of Kinesiology and Recreation, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, United StatesTiger Tech Solutions, Inc., Miami, FL, United StatesDepartment of Anesthesiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United StatesDepartment of Anesthesiology, Wertheim School of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States0Miami Beach Anesthesiology Associates, Miami Beach, FL, United StatesBackgroundEvidence shows relaxation techniques reactivate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) following physiological stressors such as exercise. As such, these techniques may be useful following exercise training of high intensity sports, like collegiate football.PurposeTo evaluate the impact of mindfulness and rest activities on PNS reactivation following training sessions, in a sample of Division-I collegiate, male football athletes.MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional, pre-post experimental design among 38 football athletes. Following three training sessions, each separated by one week, athletes were exposed to three groups: mindfulness, rest, and no-intervention. Athletes in the mindfulness group laid supine in a darkened room, while performing 15 min of guided breathing and body scans. The rest group remained seated in a lighted room, performing 15 min of restful activities (e.g., talking). The no-intervention group was instructed to perform usual post-training activities (e.g., showering). Heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR) and two HR variability (HRV) indices were measured via an armband monitor (Warfighter Monitor, Tiger Tech Solutions, Inc, Miami, FL) equipped with electrocardiographic and photoplethysmography capabilities. HRV indices included standard deviation of the N-N intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD). Within and between-group differences were determined via analysis of variance (ANOVA) and corrected for multiple comparisons familywise error.ResultsStatistically significant reductions in HR and RR were observed across all groups: −81.6, −66.4, −40.9 bpm and −31.7, −26.9, and −19.0 breaths⋅min−1, respectively. The mindfulness and rest groups exhibited a larger within-group reduction in HR and RR compared to the no-intervention group, p < 0.0000. Additionally, the mindfulness group showed a larger reduction in HR and RR compared to the rest group, p < 0.05. Post-intervention HR and RRs were significantly lower in the mindfulness group relative to the no-intervention group (77.0 vs. 120.1 bpm, respectively). Similar results were observed for RR (15.0 vs. 23.6 breaths⋅min−1, respectively) and HRV indices (SDNN: 46.9 vs. 33.1 ms and rMSSD: 17.9 vs. 13.8 ms, respectively) Athletes in the rest group showed significantly lower post-intervention HR (−30.2 bpm, 89.9 vs. 120.1 bpm, respectively), RR (−4.3 breaths⋅min−1, 19.3 vs. 23.6 breaths⋅min−1, respectively) and significantly higher HRV (SDNN: 42.9 vs. 33.1 ms and rMSSD: 16.7 vs. 13.8 ms, respectively) compared to their no-intervention counterparts.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that athletes engaging in either 15-minute guided mindfulness or rest activities (e.g., sitting) post training, may facilitate PNS reactivation. Implementing these strategies may accelerate recovery, improving performance. Longitudinal, randomized controlled trials among diverse sports are encouraged.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1267631/fullparasympathetic reactivationautonomic nervous systemelite athletesexercise trainingAmerican footballcollegiate |
| spellingShingle | Eric Renaghan Michael Joseph Wishon Harrison L. Wittels Luis A. Feigenbaum Luis A. Feigenbaum Kyle Bellamy Michael Hatfield Joe Girardi Stephen Lee Samantha M. McDonald Samantha M. McDonald S. Howard Wittels S. Howard Wittels S. Howard Wittels S. Howard Wittels The effects of relaxation techniques following acute, high intensity football training on parasympathetic reactivation Frontiers in Sports and Active Living parasympathetic reactivation autonomic nervous system elite athletes exercise training American football collegiate |
| title | The effects of relaxation techniques following acute, high intensity football training on parasympathetic reactivation |
| title_full | The effects of relaxation techniques following acute, high intensity football training on parasympathetic reactivation |
| title_fullStr | The effects of relaxation techniques following acute, high intensity football training on parasympathetic reactivation |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effects of relaxation techniques following acute, high intensity football training on parasympathetic reactivation |
| title_short | The effects of relaxation techniques following acute, high intensity football training on parasympathetic reactivation |
| title_sort | effects of relaxation techniques following acute high intensity football training on parasympathetic reactivation |
| topic | parasympathetic reactivation autonomic nervous system elite athletes exercise training American football collegiate |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1267631/full |
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