Heart Rate Variability and Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Healthy College Students

The relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is equivocal. Results from recent studies suggest the relationship between HRV and VO2max is inconclusive. PURPOSE: To examine possible correlations between resting HRV and VO2max in twenty-four healthy college students (22 + or - 3.7 yr). METHODS: HRV time and frequency-domain measures were calculated from electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings taken by a BioHarness during supine metronomic breathing (6 bpm). Five minutes of recumbent rested breathing was performed prior to five minutes of ECG recording. An incremental, maximal treadmill test and closed circuit spirometry was used to determine VO2max (51.6 + or - 11.1 mL.min-1.kg-1). RESULTS: Several significant inverse correlations between HRV indices and resting heart rate were found in both time and frequency-domain measures: Standard Deviation of Normal R-R intervals (r = -0.876, p