Investigation of Autonomic Stress Response Patterns in College Students With Varying Physical Activity Levels
Investigation of Autonomic Stress Response Patterns in College Students With Varying Physical Activity Levels
This study aims to investigate the differences in cardiovascular stress response patterns among individuals with various physical activity levels (sedentary controls and different types of athletes). By synchronously monitoring ECG, heart rate, skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA), blood pressure, and cardiac output, the study will characterize physiological dynamics during resting, orthostatic challenge, cold pressor stress, and maximal exercise.
Participants will be categorized into five groups based on their training background: sedentary, endurance, strength, technical, and traditional ethnic sports. The experimental protocol includes baseline measurements in lying, standing, and sitting positions, followed by a series of acute stress tests: a lie-to-stand orthostatic test, a slow breathing test, and a cold pressor test. Finally, participants will perform a ramp incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Synchronous physiological data including HRV and SKNA will be collected to evaluate the dynamic regulation of the autonomic nervous system.
Inclusion Criteria:
Healthy young adults aged 18-25 years
Body Mass Index (BMI) within the range of 18.5-23.9 kg/m 2
No history of systematic professional athletic training (for sedentary group) or confirmed training background (for athlete groups)
No exercise contraindications or history of cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic diseases
No family history of sudden cardiac death
Ability to understand the study protocol and sign the informed consent form
Exclusion Criteria:
History of limb sports injury within the past 6 months or unhealed fractures
Habits of smoking or chronic alcohol consumption
Presence of implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemakers)
Clinical diagnosis of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression
Recent use of medications affecting autonomic or cardiovascular function
Regular practice of meditation or ongoing psychotherapy
Irregular menstrual cycles (for female participants)
Peripheral neuropathy or other autonomic nervous system disorders