Effects of Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Cardio-Respiratory Functions After Aerobic Exercise

Abstract

After exercise or sports activities begin, sympathetic activity in the body increases and reaches a plateau at maximum activity after a certain period of time. Recovery can be made faster and more effective by post-exercise modulation of the autonomic nervous system. Stimulation of the auricular vagus nerve may increase parasympathetic activity and therefore benefit healing. The aim of our study is to find out whether the return rate of parasympathetic activity (PA) can be accelerated with auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (TVNS). Pulmonary function test, ANS activity, pulse and blood pressure measurements were made. Individuals ran for 15 minutes. Those in the TVNS group received 5 minutes of auricular VNS. In the control group, headphones were attached but no current was given. After the end of their procedures, they were compared with pre-exercise. The pulse parameter increased in the TVNS group compared to the first measurement (p=0.001). An increase in the FEV1 value was found in the VNS group (p= 0.007). There was no significant difference in the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) Index between the groups, and the SNS Index value increased in both groups compared to the first measurement (p0.05), but an increase was observed in the TVNS group compared to the first measurement (p0.05).TVNS can improve respiratory parameters in healthy individuals in the acute period after exercise, and it seems that it can also increase activation in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic system. It can be stated that TVNS may lead to variable results in different circumstances in sports.