Effect of Global Postural Reeducation on cardiovascular system of healthy subjects

Elizângela Márcia De Carvalho Abreu,Marco Antonio De Oliveira,Tatiana Sousa Cunha,Alderico Rodrigues De Paula Júnior

doi:10.1590/0103-5150.027.003.ao09

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of Global Postural Reeducation (GPR) on cardiovascular system by heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). Materials and methods Seventeen healthy men (22.47 ± 3.02 years) were submitted to the postures frog on the floor, frog on the air, sitting, standing against the wall and inclined standing, two postures per session. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and HR were recorded. The intervals between heartbeats were collected during the whole session (Polar S810i). The frequency domain was analyzed (Wavelet Transform), the low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) were obtained. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey (p < 0.05). Results Increased LF/HF ratio was observed in the frog on the floor (1 ± 0.1 vs. 2 ± 0.3 p < 0.05) and on the air postures (1 ± 0.1 vs. 2 ± 0.2 p < 0.01). There was an increase in SBP in the postures frog on the floor (123 ± 2 vs. 136 ± 4 p < 0.05), frog on the air (122 ± 2 vs. 133 ± 3 p < 0.05), standing against the wall (123 ± 2 vs. 136 ± 4 p < 0.05), inclined standing (124 ± 3 vs. 146 ± 5 p < 0.05). There was increase of DBP in the postures frog on the floor (69 ± 2 vs. 81 ± 2 p < 0.01), frog on the air (72 ± 2 vs. 83 ± 3 p < 0.05), sitting (85 ± 2 vs. 102 ± 3 p < 0.01). There was increase in HR in the postures frog on the air (67 ± 2 vs. 77 ± 3 p < 0.05) and inclined standing (88 ± 3.5 vs. 101 ± 3 p < 0.05). Conclusion The increase in LF/HF ratio and also the BP and HR indicates high sympathetic activity, possibly related to the work isometric developed during GPR method. [P]

Highlights

Different studies have shown that external stimulus can affect Heart Rate (HR), an important physiological feature in subject’s homeostasis
The cardiovascular autonomic control is the main method for physiological adjustments because it responds to different situation such as stress, physical exercise and postural changes in normal and pathological conditions (3)
The ANOVA test showed an increase in low frequency (LF)/high frequency (HF) ratio during the frog posture compared to the rest from 1 ± 0.3 to 2 ± 0.3 (p < 0.01 ) and during the air posture compared to the rest from 1 ± 0.1 to 2 ± 0.2 (p < 0.01) and between the rest period and the recovery from 1 ± 0.1 to 2 ± 0.2 (p < 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Different studies have shown that external stimulus can affect Heart Rate (HR), an important physiological feature in subject’s homeostasis. This occurs in simple activity such as postural changes but mainly during intense physical effort such as physical exercise (1). Temporal and spectral analyses of heart rate variability (HRV) are excellent markers for autonomic cardiac function. These analyses can be done with minimal expense, with a commercial HR monitor used in the field and sporting events (2). The cardiovascular autonomic control is the main method for physiological adjustments because it responds to different situation such as stress, physical exercise and postural changes in normal and pathological conditions (3). HRV is use to predict the mortality risk in different clinical conditions for example in diabetic neuropathology, myocardial infarction and surgery (4)

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Conclusion