33rd Annual Student Research Conference
Rhythmical Skeletal Muscle Tension (RSMT) Increases Heart Rate Variability: A Systematic Replication
Marilise M. Stamps*, Zack D. Irvin, and Jayla N. Simms
Dr. Fred Shaffer, Faculty Mentor
Urban and colleagues placed undergraduates in a semi-recumbent position and instructed them to clench their hands and feet at 3, 6, and 12 contractions per minute (cpm). The 6-cpm condition produced greater Ln low frequency power, RMSSD, and SDNN values than 12-cpm. The present study replicated this experiment with contraction rates of 1, 6, and 12 times per minute to explore the effects of a slower contraction rate than 3-cpm. ECG, HRV, EMG, and respiration were monitored. Participants completed one of six orders of 1, 6, and 12 cpm, separated by 3-minute buffer periods, without receiving feedback. Data showed participants contracted their hands and feet at the prescribed frequencies and respiration rates were equivalent across all conditions. RSMT at 6-cpm produced greater Ln low frequency power, RMSSD, and SDNN than at 12-cpm. These findings reconfirmed the Vaschillo, Vaschillo, and Lehrer finding that RSMT offers an alternative method to increase HRV.
Keywords: HRV, Muscle Tension, Muscle Contraction, ECG, EMG, Respiration
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA