Influence of a Single Slow-Paced Breathing Session on Cardiac Vagal Activity in Athletes

Slow-paced breathing (SPB) is a well-known relaxation technique in athletes, which has also the potential to help optimize addiction treatments based on its effects autonomic nervous system. Specifically, these directly impact cardiac vagal activity (CVA), of vagus nerve regulating functioning. The long-term SPB interventions CVA have already received some attention; however, single session still require further investigation. Consequently, aim this study was investigate during, immediately after, and 60 min after session. Twenty-four athletes were involved within-subject design, with two conditions: slow-paced (at 6 cycles per minute) control condition watching an emotionally neutral TV documentary while at spontaneous rate. derived from heart rate variability measurement indexed via root mean square successive differences, RMSSD. Results showed that RMSSD measured during significantly higher than when before SPB, right SPB. No changes observed condition. Findings regarding concomitant are line previous literature. return baseline suggests only transitory. Given been linked decreased cravings addictions, future research should extent may be effective coping craving attacks acute basis.