The impact of sedentarism on heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and in response to mental stress in young women

Sedentarism is one of the main risk factors for the onset of cardiometabolic diseases. Some biomarkers, such as heart rate variability (HRV), have been largely studied and found to be involved in the genesis of the dysfunctions associated with sedentary behavior. However, comparatively few studies have focused on the female sex. The objective of this study was to analyze the hemodynamic, autonomic and quality of life parameters at rest and in response to mental stress of sedentary and physically active young women. A total of 96 women, 18–30 years of age, were divided into sedentary (SW = 48) and active (AW = 48) groups. Anthropometric, hemodynamic and quality of life parameters were evaluated and the R‐R interval was recorded to quantify the cardiac autonomic modulation at rest and in response to the Stroop Color Test. The groups were similar in age, weight, height, body mass index, fat percentage, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values and glycemia. The physical health domain of quality of life was compromised in the SW group. The SW group presented higher heart rate, lower variance of RR interval and RMSSD and higher cardiac sympathovagal balance (LF/HF) both at rest and in response to the mental stress test. We concluded that sedentary lifestyle in women induces impairment in autonomic cardiac modulation at rest and in response to physiological stress, compromising the quality of life, even before altering any cardiovascular or metabolic clinical parameters, reinforcing the potential role of HRV as early marker of cardiovascular risk in this population.