Stress and Autonomic System
Ana Carolina Paludo
Ana Carolina Paludo
Physiology of Sport and Exercise
carolina.paludo@fsps.muni.cz
Learning Objectives
The basic structures of the autonomic system
Stress and autonomic system
Example of study in HRV and sport
Stress…
⮚ Robert Sapolski “Why Zebras don’t get ulcers
⮚ Sapolsky, R. M. (1992). Stress, the aging brain, and the mechanisms of neuron death. the MIT Press.
Stress and Human Being
Homeostasis
Stressor
Any factor in the outside world that causes
an imbalance in homeostasis
Reestablish homeostasis
Periferal Nervous System Somatic System
Efferent
Neurons
Afferent
NeuronsMechanoreceptors
Thermoreceptors
Nociceptors
Photoreceptors
Chemoreceptors
Movimen
t
Allows coordinating actions and responses
to the external environment. Conscious
control of the movement.
Autonomic System
Stress Response
Mobilize energy to help the muscle to run
Increase Cardiovascular Tone
Suppression of digestion
Growth suppression
Suppression of the reproductive system
Increased activation of the immune system
Secretion of some hormones
Glucose
Blood
pressure
Respiratory
frequency
Oxygen
Get the energy to muscles as fast as possible
Stress Response
Same system is activated for psychological reasons
Heart Rate Variability
Sinoatrial node
(Pacemaker)
Excitatory Heart Rate
noroepinephrine
Inhibitory Heart Rate
acetylcholine
Heart Rate Variability
Beat Length/Time Interval (RR)
Fast beats = Short interval
Heart Rate Variability
Accelerated/Fast beats
Normal/Rest Heartbeat Longer interval between beats
Shortest interval between beats Heart Rate
Heart Rate
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
⮚ Rest: parasympathetic dominance over the sympathetic
system
⮚ Health: HRV Risk of death from all causes
⮚ Training/sport settings: VFC Better physical performance
HRV in Sport Context
Lower HRV values after training
(greater autonomic stress)
Relationship to Training Load
HRV in Sport Context
Increased HRV after a period of training (better heart function)
Training Recovery
HRV in Sport Context
*** Higher HRV in training compared to
competition
Training x Competition
HRV in Sport Context
Chronic Stress
Psychological reasons
- Muscular myopathy (atrophy)
- Inefficient energy use
- Increased likelihood of diabetes
- Increased BP = hypertension
- Damage to the cardiovascular system
(atherosclerosis)
Acute Chronic
carolina.paludo@fsps.muni.cz
Obrigada
Homework- next class: download app
ELITE HRV (free)
Next class: testing the app