Heart Rate Variability: A Psychophysiological Factor Related to Both Regular Physical Activity and Eudaimonic Well‐Being Among Young Adults

ABSTRACT Introduction Eudaimonic well‐being (EWB), which refers to optimal human functioning, is associated with psychophysiological outcomes, such as reduced inflammation and a lower risk of depression. Although physical activity (PA) and mindfulness have been shown to be predictive factors for EWB...

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Main Authors: Yoshino Murakami, Daisuke Goto, Hayato Tsukamoto, Kazuho Yamaura, Takeshi Hashimoto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Brain and Behavior
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70284
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author Yoshino Murakami
Daisuke Goto
Hayato Tsukamoto
Kazuho Yamaura
Takeshi Hashimoto
author_facet Yoshino Murakami
Daisuke Goto
Hayato Tsukamoto
Kazuho Yamaura
Takeshi Hashimoto
author_sort Yoshino Murakami
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Introduction Eudaimonic well‐being (EWB), which refers to optimal human functioning, is associated with psychophysiological outcomes, such as reduced inflammation and a lower risk of depression. Although physical activity (PA) and mindfulness have been shown to be predictive factors for EWB, potential mediators of the relationships of PA or mindfulness with EWB have yet to be identified. PA, mindfulness‐related psychophysiological factors (including serotonin [5‐HT], oxytocin [OXT]), and dopamine [DA] levels), and heart rate variability (HRV) have been shown to be associated with mental disorders or emotion regulation capacity. Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the potential psychophysiological factors associated with PA, mindfulness and EWB. Methods A total of 49 young adults (25 males, 24 females) were included with an average age of 25 years (± 5). Plasma 5‐HT, OXT, and DA levels were obtained via blood samples from the brachial vein and were analyzed with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and HRV was obtained via 5‐min electrocardiograms (ECGs), with participants in the supine position. Spearman's correlation analyses were performed, followed by partial correlation analyses controlling for age, sex, and social status (i.e., student or working professional). Results HRV was found to be positively correlated with both moderate‐intensity PA (r = 0.47, p = 0.04) and EWB (purpose in life; r = 0.50, p = 0.03), even after controlling for relevant variables. On the other hand, neither 5‐HT, OXT, nor DA was correlated with PA, mindfulness, and EWB. Conclusion These results suggest that HRV may mediate the relationship between PA and EWB. Additional intervention studies are needed to elucidate the causal relationships among PA, HRV, and EWB.
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spelling doaj-art-d527fc1867eb4b219cd508aee9dfd6c82025-01-29T13:36:40ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792025-01-01151n/an/a10.1002/brb3.70284Heart Rate Variability: A Psychophysiological Factor Related to Both Regular Physical Activity and Eudaimonic Well‐Being Among Young AdultsYoshino Murakami0Daisuke Goto1Hayato Tsukamoto2Kazuho Yamaura3Takeshi Hashimoto4Faculty of Sport and Health ScienceRitsumeikan UniversityKusatsuJapanFaculty of Sport and Health ScienceRitsumeikan UniversityKusatsuJapanFaculty of Sport SciencesWaseda UniversityTokorozawaJapanFaculty of Sport and Health ScienceRitsumeikan UniversityKusatsuJapanFaculty of Sport and Health ScienceRitsumeikan UniversityKusatsuJapanABSTRACT Introduction Eudaimonic well‐being (EWB), which refers to optimal human functioning, is associated with psychophysiological outcomes, such as reduced inflammation and a lower risk of depression. Although physical activity (PA) and mindfulness have been shown to be predictive factors for EWB, potential mediators of the relationships of PA or mindfulness with EWB have yet to be identified. PA, mindfulness‐related psychophysiological factors (including serotonin [5‐HT], oxytocin [OXT]), and dopamine [DA] levels), and heart rate variability (HRV) have been shown to be associated with mental disorders or emotion regulation capacity. Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the potential psychophysiological factors associated with PA, mindfulness and EWB. Methods A total of 49 young adults (25 males, 24 females) were included with an average age of 25 years (± 5). Plasma 5‐HT, OXT, and DA levels were obtained via blood samples from the brachial vein and were analyzed with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and HRV was obtained via 5‐min electrocardiograms (ECGs), with participants in the supine position. Spearman's correlation analyses were performed, followed by partial correlation analyses controlling for age, sex, and social status (i.e., student or working professional). Results HRV was found to be positively correlated with both moderate‐intensity PA (r = 0.47, p = 0.04) and EWB (purpose in life; r = 0.50, p = 0.03), even after controlling for relevant variables. On the other hand, neither 5‐HT, OXT, nor DA was correlated with PA, mindfulness, and EWB. Conclusion These results suggest that HRV may mediate the relationship between PA and EWB. Additional intervention studies are needed to elucidate the causal relationships among PA, HRV, and EWB.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70284electrocardiogrammoderate‐intensity PAneurotransmitterspsychological well‐being
spellingShingle Yoshino Murakami
Daisuke Goto
Hayato Tsukamoto
Kazuho Yamaura
Takeshi Hashimoto
Heart Rate Variability: A Psychophysiological Factor Related to Both Regular Physical Activity and Eudaimonic Well‐Being Among Young Adults
Brain and Behavior
electrocardiogram
moderate‐intensity PA
neurotransmitters
psychological well‐being
title Heart Rate Variability: A Psychophysiological Factor Related to Both Regular Physical Activity and Eudaimonic Well‐Being Among Young Adults
title_full Heart Rate Variability: A Psychophysiological Factor Related to Both Regular Physical Activity and Eudaimonic Well‐Being Among Young Adults
title_fullStr Heart Rate Variability: A Psychophysiological Factor Related to Both Regular Physical Activity and Eudaimonic Well‐Being Among Young Adults
title_full_unstemmed Heart Rate Variability: A Psychophysiological Factor Related to Both Regular Physical Activity and Eudaimonic Well‐Being Among Young Adults
title_short Heart Rate Variability: A Psychophysiological Factor Related to Both Regular Physical Activity and Eudaimonic Well‐Being Among Young Adults
title_sort heart rate variability a psychophysiological factor related to both regular physical activity and eudaimonic well being among young adults
topic electrocardiogram
moderate‐intensity PA
neurotransmitters
psychological well‐being
url https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70284
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AT kazuhoyamaura heartratevariabilityapsychophysiologicalfactorrelatedtobothregularphysicalactivityandeudaimonicwellbeingamongyoungadults
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