Correlation between physical performance and the reactivity of psycho-vegetative parameters
Trapp M.1,6, Miggitsch E.M.1,6, Rohrer P.M.1,6, Egger J.W.1, Velik R.2, Domej W.3,6, Wieser O.4, Schwaberger G.5,6
1 Research unit of behavioural medicine, health psychology and empirical psychosomatics, Medical University of Graz, AUSTRIA
2 Institute of Computer Technology, Vienna University of Technology, AUSTRIA
3 University Clinic of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, AUSTRIA
4 University of Heidelberg, GERMANY
5 Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, AUSTRIA
6 ARGE Alpinmedizin, Graz
Schwaberger (1987) demonstrated that aerobic fitness of healthy individuals
exerts influence on cardiovascular reaction during a mental stress situation (car racing). He investigated 20 car racing drivers both during car racing and during bicycle ergometry. There could be demonstrated a negative correlation between heart rate, free fatty acids level, catecholamine excretion during mental-concentrative and psycho-emotional stress, and certain parameters of physical performance. He concluded that people with a high level of physical fitness show a reduced cardiocirculatory and metabolic strain reaction after physical stress situations [1,2].
Trapp et al (2006) measured HRV parameters in 36 male healthy, well trained subjects by a high solution electrocardiogram-recorder (AR12, TOMmedical). The volunteers had to participate in a vigilance tests (KLT-R), both at rest and under ergotropic conditions. It could be shown that heart rate variability (especially the parameter RMSSD) is a very specific and precise tool to describe the responsiveness of the cardiovascular system and the autonomic nervous system [3]. In addition, the results of Schwaberger (1987) could be verified. We could demonstrate that subjects with a high physical fitness showed a reduced decline of heart rate variability during a mental task.
In the “Dachsteinstudy 2008”, we investigated 41 subjects. They had to participate in a defined test procedure both at Graz (353 m above sea level) and at the Dachstein top station (Hunerkogel; 2700 m above sea level).At Graz, the subjects participated in an exhaustive bicycle ergometry.
The hypobaric hypoxia can be seen as a potent physiological stressor. Therefore, we hypothesized that subjects with a higher physical performance will show reduced stress reactivity both in Graz and at the Dachstein (combination of the stressors hypobaric hypoxia and mental stress task). Results of our study will show the influence of high altitude on the reactivity of psycho-vegetative parameters depending on physical performance.
References:
1. Schwaberger G: Heart rate, metabolic and hormonal responses to maximal psycho-emotional and physical stress in motor car racing drivers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1987;59:579-607.
2. Schwaberger G: Auswirkungen von Streß und körperlicher Aktivität auf die Gesundheit des Menschen. Die Medizinische Welt 1989;40:535-542.
3. Trapp M, Lackner H, Miggitsch E-M, Wieser O, Schwaberger G: Interaction of heart rate variability (HRV) with ergotropic and mental tasks. Isokinetics and Exercise Science 2006;14:93-206.