Influence of Chronic Exposure to Exercise on Heart Rate Variability in Children and Adolescents Affected by Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Rodrigo M. Dias, Íbis A. P. Moraes, Maria T. A. P. Dantas, Deborah C. G. L. Fernani, Anne M. G. G. Fontes, Ana C. Silveira, Viviani Barnabé, Marcelo Fernandes, Patrícia M. Martinelli, Carlos B. M. Monteiro, David M. Garner, Luiz C. Abreu and Talita D. Silva
Additional contact information
Rodrigo M. Dias: Postgraduate Program in Medicine (Cardiology), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil
Íbis A. P. Moraes: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
Maria T. A. P. Dantas: Department of Health Sciences, University of the West of São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente 19050-680, Brazil
Deborah C. G. L. Fernani: Department of Health Sciences, University of the West of São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente 19050-680, Brazil
Anne M. G. G. Fontes: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
Ana C. Silveira: Postgraduate Program in Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACHUSP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
Viviani Barnabé: Faculty of Medicine, City University of São Paulo (UNICID), São Paulo 03071-000, Brazil
Marcelo Fernandes: Postgraduate Program in Physical Activity Sciences, School of Arts, Science and Humanities, University of São Paulo (EACHUSP), São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
Patrícia M. Martinelli: Study Design and Scientific Writing Laboratory, ABC Medical School (FMABC), Santo André, São Paulo 09060-870, Brazil
Carlos B. M. Monteiro: Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
David M. Garner: Cardiorespiratory Research Group, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
Luiz C. Abreu: Study Design and Scientific Writing Laboratory, ABC Medical School (FMABC), Santo André, São Paulo 09060-870, Brazil
Talita D. Silva: Postgraduate Program in Medicine (Cardiology), Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-14

Abstract: Background: Sedentary lifestyles are increasingly common amongst children, and insufficient physical activity is a global epidemic estimated to contribute to future incapacities and potential deaths. Objective: We aimed to increase the amount of evidence concerning the effect of chronic exposure to exercise on heart rate variability in children and adolescents affected by obesity. Methods: A systematic review commenced following the PRISMA guidelines developed by Web of Science, Virtual Health Library, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid, Medline Complete, and Scopus using keywords obtained from the Descriptors in Health Sciences and Medical Subject Headlines (MeSH) terms. We considered (1) Population: Pediatric individuals affected by obesity; (2) Intervention: Exercise; (3) Control: Pre-intervention and sedentary; (4) Outcomes: Clearly presented primary parameters; and (5) Studies: Clinical trials, case controls, case reports, and case series. Results: 11 articles were involved and predominantly included procedures observed during approximately 12 weeks with a distribution of three sessions per week, each session being 30–60 min of aerobic exercise; additionally, the exercise grades were typically completed at a percentage of subjects’ maximum heart rates. The meta-analyses displayed a significant effect on the domains of time (R-R interval, SDNN, rMSSD), frequency (HF ms 2 , HF (n.u.), LF/HF), and the non-linear index (SD1). Conclusions: Chronic exposure to exercise influences heart rate variability in children and adolescents affected by obesity by elevating the variability and parasympathetic activity and improving the sympathetic-vagal balance. Exercises should be recommended for the improvement of cardiac autonomic modulation to prevent the likelihood of further chronic diseases.

Keywords: exercise; obesity; autonomic nervous system; heart rate; physical fitness; disease prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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