Changes in resting heart rate variability across the menstrual cycle
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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Autonomic Function Following Concussion in Youth Athletes: An Exploration of Heart Rate Variability Using 24-hour Recording Methodology
Published on: September 21, 2018
Matthew S Tenan1, R Matthew Brothers, Andrew J Tweedell
1Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA; United States Army Research Laboratory-Human Research and Engineering Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA.
Abstract:
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive indicator of autonomic control. This study examines HRV changes across a normal menstrual cycle and proposes a novel piecewise function controlling for the effects of breathing on HRV spectral parameters. A resting ECG was collected from 13 women at five points in their menstrual cycle. Both heart rate and breathing rate increased across the cycle (p < .01) while time-domain variability decreased (p = .04). Use of the piecewise function for breathing rate in HRV spectral analysis was confirmed by a substantial increase in model goodness-of-fit. HRV spectral parameters, controlled for breathing with the piecewise function, confirm that the decrease in variability is likely due to a parasympathetic withdrawal, since high frequency HRV decreases (p = .02).
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