Slow breathing at 6 breaths per minute increases heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity [PMID: 24092689, 19608928, 16752104]. Does the body posture (supine vs. sitting) matter in this regard? and how?
In the study by Wang et al. [PMID: 24092689], the HRV power seems to be higher in sitting vs. supine position while the BRSseq is higher in supine vs. sitting position at breathing frequency of 0.1 Hz. Any explanation for such data?
Tnx.
The autonomic state is very different in supine vs. vertical positions. Without autonomic activation, when we sat up our blood would pour into our feet. Thus any measure of autonomic function would be influenced by the current autonomic state. However, steady state ANS function may we be less interesting and predictive than the ability to adapt to state perturbations which is why, for example, heart rate turbulence which reflects recovery from VPCs has such good prognositic value.
Clarification: Is the attached link (F4; Wang et.al. 2013) the result you're referring to? I'm assuming not, and you mean "the HRV power *at respiratory frequency during slow breathing* seems to be higher in sitting vs. supine position"? As in Figure5?
http://d13geadg2uyg93.cloudfront.net/content/jap/115/11/1648/F4.medium.gif
http://d13geadg2uyg93.cloudfront.net/content/jap/115/11/1648/F5.large.jpg
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