Autonomic Nervous System Responses Assessment and Sleep Quality Changes Following Eight weeks Selected Swimming Training in Untrained Females

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim: evidence has shown the relation between autonomic nervous system response and sleep quality; and the beneficial effects of exercises on these two subjects. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect eight weeks selected swimming training on Autonomic Nervous System responses assessment and sleep quality changes in untrained females. Methods: In the present semi-experience study, 24 sedentary healthy untrained females were randomly assigned in two exercise training (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. The swimming training protocol includes sessions with 60 minutes at 60 to 80 percent of maximum heart rate, three sessions per week for eight weeks. Resting and maximal Heart rate assessed before and after intervention. Participants sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The data was processed by using SPSS version 22 and Independent and dependent t-test. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in resting heart rate and maximum in the exercise group (p = 0.071, p = 0.071,) respectively. The score of sleep quality index of participants in the training group showed a significant decrease (p = 0.0001). The performance of swimming exercises resulted in a significant decrease in the score of sleep quality index and maximum heart rate in the exercise group compared to the control group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.017). Quality and maximal Heart rate in training group as compared to control group (P=0.002, P=0.017). Conclusion: according to the findings, swimming exercises through improving the sympathovagal balance led to decrease Heart rate and improve sleep quality in untrained females. Thus it should be considered as a viable non-pharmacological strategy to improve sleep quality in untrained females.

Keywords

• Sleep Quality
• Swimming Exercises
• Heart Rate
• Autonomic Nervous System