Associations of Sedentary Time with Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate if sedentary time (ST) is associated with heart rate (HR) and variability (HRV) in adults. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed and Google Scholar through June 2020. Inclusion criteria were observational design, humans, adults, English language, ST as the exposure, resting HR/HRV as the outcome, and (meta-analysis only) availability of the quantitative association with variability. After qualitative synthesis, meta-analysis used inverse variance heterogeneity models to estimate pooled associations. Results: Thirteen and eight articles met the criteria for the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. All studies were cross-sectional and few used gold standard ST or HRV assessment methodology. The qualitative synthesis suggested no associations between ST and HR/HRV. The meta-analysis found a significant association between ST and HR (β = 0.24 bpm per hour ST; CI: 0.10, 0.37) that was stronger in males (β = 0.36 bpm per hour ST; CI: 0.19, 0.53). Pooled associations between ST and HRV indices were non-significant (p > 0.05). Substantial heterogeneity was detected. Conclusions: The limited available evidence suggests an unfavorable but not clinically meaningful association between ST and HR, but no association with HRV. Future longitudinal studies assessing ST with thigh-based monitoring and HRV with electrocardiogram are needed.

Paradoxical Associations of Occupational and Nonoccupational Sedentary Behavior With Cardiovascular Disease Risk Measures in Desk Workers

“…We recently published a systematic review and meta-analysis that found negligible and clinically trivial correlations between SB and HR with no significant association of SB with HRV 16 . However, the limitations of the existing studies were notable and included not using thigh-mounted monitors to measure SB, not accounting for MVPA in several studies, and not differentiating between occupational versus nonoccupational SB 16 . Our findings address these limitations and report significant and paradoxical associations of occupational and nonoccupational SB with resting and nocturnal ambulatory HR and resting HRV.…”

“…16 However, the limitations of the existing studies were notable and included not using thigh-mounted monitors to measure SB, not accounting for MVPA in several studies, and not differentiating between occupational versus nonoccupational SB. 16 Our findings address these limitations and report significant and paradoxical associations of occupational and nonoccupational SB with resting and nocturnal ambulatory HR and resting HRV. Higher nonoccupational SB was associated with slightly higher resting and nocturnal ambulatory HR, whereas higher occupational SB was associated with slightly lower nocturnal ambulatory HR.…”

“…Although SB patterns seem to differ across these domains, whether associations between SB and CVD risk measures also differ across domains have been largely overlooked. [14][15][16] This research gap is of clinical importance as emerging data suggest that occupational PA may increase the risk of CVD, while nonoccupational or leisure-time PA seems to be beneficial. 17 Thus, clarification of the relationship between domain-specific SB and CVD risk measures is important to inform comprehensive interventions that modify SB and PA within a particular domain such as work.…”

Correlation between physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and heart rate variability among young overweight adults

“… 3 The regularisation of CAF through improved physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been observed and reported among physically active, normal-weight individuals. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 Sedentary lifestyle predominates among overweight and obese individuals and contributes largely to cardiac autonomic dysfunction. 9 Interestingly, a 10% weight gain over initial body weight was reported to decrease parasympathetic tone and increase sympathetic tone among a group of non-obese individuals.…”

“… 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 Sedentary lifestyle predominates among overweight and obese individuals and contributes largely to cardiac autonomic dysfunction. 9 Interestingly, a 10% weight gain over initial body weight was reported to decrease parasympathetic tone and increase sympathetic tone among a group of non-obese individuals. 12 , 13 The evidence on how increasing adiposity may affect CAF among overweight and obese individuals is worth exploring.…”