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Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Autonomic Function Following Concussion in Youth Athletes: An Exploration of Heart Rate Variability Using 24-hour Recording Methodology
Published on: September 21, 2018
Heart Rate Variability and Academic Performance of First-Year University Students
Bianca Lee Thomas1,2, Margaretha Viljoen3
1Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, bthomas@uj.ac.za.
Background:
Heart rate variability (HRV) measures have been shown to be positively associated with cognitive processing, while a positive association between cognitive processing and academic performance has been demonstrated.
Objectives:
To determine whether resting HRV or HRV marker response to either a cognitive or an orthostatic challenge is significantly associated with a first-year university student's academic performance.
Method:
HRV markers used in the study included total power (TP) as a measure of overall HRV and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) as a measure of parasympathetic influence on the heart. Academic performance was determined by standardized general mean scores.
Results:
Greater supine overall HRV (TP) was significantly associated with greater academic performance predominantly in females. Vagal (RMSSD) measures were not shown to be associated with academic performance.
Conclusions:
This, to our knowledge, is the first study to show that overall HRV has a significant positive association with academic performance of a first-year university student.
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