The 24‐h movement behaviours composition is associated with parasympathetic modulation in preschoolers

Abstract

AbstractAimTo investigate the associations between 24‐h movement behaviours and heart rate variability (HRV) in preschool children.MethodsA total of 123 preschoolers (4.52 ± 0.25 years old; 62 girls) were assessed for physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) using an accelerometer (Actigraph WGT3x). Sleep duration (SD) was parent‐reported. Children were laid down in a supine position for 10 min to assess HRV data. The R–R intervals recorded during the last 5 min of this period were analysed. We conducted compositional analysis in R studio, and the significance level was 95%. All ethical procedures were followed, and the study had the approval of the local ethical board.ResultsWhen considered as a composition, adjusted for age, body mass index and sex, the 24‐h movement composition (PA, SB and SD) significantly predicted better parasympathetic modulation (Root mean square of the successive differences [RMSSD] [p = 0.04; r2 = 0.13]), but not high frequency (HF) (nu) (p = 0.51, r2 = 0.01), low frequency (nu) (p = 0.52, r2 = 0.02),or standard deviation (standard deviation of normal‐to‐normal intervals) (p = 0.55, r2 = 0.02), respectively.ConclusionThese results suggest the 24‐h movement composition predicted the RMSSD time‐domain index related to parasympathetic activity.