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Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Children
Published on: April 29, 2013
Cardiac Autonomic System Response to Submaximal Test in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Taly Amichai1, Sharon Eylon, Horesh Dor-Haim
1Sackler Faculty of Medicine (Drs Amichai and Katz-Leurer), Physical Therapy Department, School of Health Professions, Tel-Aviv University, Israel; Alyn Children & Adolescent Rehabilitation Center (Dr Eylon), Jerusalem, Israel; Heart Institute (Dr Dor-Haim), Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; and Pediatric Neurology Unit (Dr Berger), Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) showed expected heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (RMSSD) responses during treadmill testing. Cardiac function returned to baseline levels post-exercise.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Neurology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) can impact autonomic nervous system function.
- Understanding cardiac responses in children with CP is crucial for exercise prescription and health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in children with CP.
- To assess cardiac responses at rest, during submaximal exercise, and post-exercise in this population.
Main Methods:
- Twenty children (6-11 years) with CP (GMFCS levels I-III) were enrolled.
- Heart rate (HR) and RMSSD (a measure of HRV) were recorded at rest, during a submaximal treadmill test, and during post-exercise rest.
- Data analysis compared HR and RMSSD values across different testing phases.
Main Results:
- Heart rate (HR) significantly increased during the final stage of the treadmill test compared to resting values.
- Heart rate variability (RMSSD) decreased during the last two minutes of exercise, indicating a physiological stress response.
- Post-exercise, both HR and RMSSD returned to baseline resting levels within two minutes, showing no significant difference from pre-test values.
Conclusions:
- The cardiovascular system in children with cerebral palsy demonstrates a typical physiological response to submaximal exercise.
- This study provides insights into the cardiac autonomic function of children with CP during physical activity.
Aim:
To describe the heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability at rest, during a submaximal treadmill test and at rest posttreadmill in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods:
Twenty children (6-11 years) with CP participated, who had Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to III. The HR was monitored for 5 minutes seated, during a submaximal treadmill test, and after 5 minutes rest posttreadmill. Outcome variables were HR and the square root of the mean squared differences of successive differences between adjacent heart beats (RMSSD).
Results:
HR increased during the last stage of the treadmill test compared with rest. RMSSD was reduced during the last 2 minutes of the treadmill test compared with rest. The HR and RMSSD mean value at the second minute posttest were not significantly different from the pretreadmill rest value.
Interpretation:
The cardiac system in children with CP responded to the submaximal testing.
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Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes