Assessing the clinical reliability of short-term heart rate variability: insights from controlled dual-environment and dual-position measurements

Abstract Heart rate variability (HRV) is a widely recognized biomarker for autonomic nervous system regulation, applicable in clinical and athletic settings to monitor health and recovery. Despite its extensive use, HRV measurement reliability is influenced by numerous factors, necessitating control...

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Main Authors: C. Besson, A. L. Baggish, P. Monteventi, L. Schmitt, F. Stucky, V. Gremeaux
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89892-3
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author C. Besson
A. L. Baggish
P. Monteventi
L. Schmitt
F. Stucky
V. Gremeaux
author_facet C. Besson
A. L. Baggish
P. Monteventi
L. Schmitt
F. Stucky
V. Gremeaux
author_sort C. Besson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Heart rate variability (HRV) is a widely recognized biomarker for autonomic nervous system regulation, applicable in clinical and athletic settings to monitor health and recovery. Despite its extensive use, HRV measurement reliability is influenced by numerous factors, necessitating controlled conditions for accurate assessments. This study investigates the reliability of short-term HRV measurements in various settings and positions, aiming to establish consistent protocols for HRV monitoring and interpretation. We assessed morning HRV in 34 healthy, physically active adults across supine and standing positions, at home and in the laboratory, over a 24-hour period. Environment significantly impacted standing HRV. Home measurements exhibited slightly lower variance compared to lab settings, underscoring the importance of environment control. Our findings confirm the high reliability of HRV measurements, indicating their robustness in capturing autonomic changes, provided a rigorous methodology is employed. Here we show that effective and reliable HRV assessment is possible across various conditions, contingent upon strict management of confounding factors. This research supports the utility of HRV as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, emphasizing its importance in health management and potential in broadening applications to diverse populations. Future studies are encouraged to expand these assessments to include varied demographic and clinical profiles, enhancing HRV integration into routine health evaluations.
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spelling doaj-art-e72dc61e66c34eccbc12d23f7852d44e2025-08-20T02:52:17ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-89892-3Assessing the clinical reliability of short-term heart rate variability: insights from controlled dual-environment and dual-position measurementsC. Besson0A. L. Baggish1P. Monteventi2L. Schmitt3F. Stucky4V. Gremeaux5Sports and Exercise Medicine Center, Swiss Olympic Medical Center, Lausanne University HospitalSports and Exercise Medicine Center, Swiss Olympic Medical Center, Lausanne University HospitalFaculty of Biology and Medicine, University of LausanneNational School of Mountain Sports/National Ski-Nordic CentreCollege of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol UniversitySports and Exercise Medicine Center, Swiss Olympic Medical Center, Lausanne University HospitalAbstract Heart rate variability (HRV) is a widely recognized biomarker for autonomic nervous system regulation, applicable in clinical and athletic settings to monitor health and recovery. Despite its extensive use, HRV measurement reliability is influenced by numerous factors, necessitating controlled conditions for accurate assessments. This study investigates the reliability of short-term HRV measurements in various settings and positions, aiming to establish consistent protocols for HRV monitoring and interpretation. We assessed morning HRV in 34 healthy, physically active adults across supine and standing positions, at home and in the laboratory, over a 24-hour period. Environment significantly impacted standing HRV. Home measurements exhibited slightly lower variance compared to lab settings, underscoring the importance of environment control. Our findings confirm the high reliability of HRV measurements, indicating their robustness in capturing autonomic changes, provided a rigorous methodology is employed. Here we show that effective and reliable HRV assessment is possible across various conditions, contingent upon strict management of confounding factors. This research supports the utility of HRV as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, emphasizing its importance in health management and potential in broadening applications to diverse populations. Future studies are encouraged to expand these assessments to include varied demographic and clinical profiles, enhancing HRV integration into routine health evaluations.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89892-3Heart rate monitoringHeart rate controlAutonomic nervous systemStatisticsReproducibility of results
spellingShingle C. Besson
A. L. Baggish
P. Monteventi
L. Schmitt
F. Stucky
V. Gremeaux
Assessing the clinical reliability of short-term heart rate variability: insights from controlled dual-environment and dual-position measurements
Scientific Reports
Heart rate monitoring
Heart rate control
Autonomic nervous system
Statistics
Reproducibility of results
title Assessing the clinical reliability of short-term heart rate variability: insights from controlled dual-environment and dual-position measurements
title_full Assessing the clinical reliability of short-term heart rate variability: insights from controlled dual-environment and dual-position measurements
title_fullStr Assessing the clinical reliability of short-term heart rate variability: insights from controlled dual-environment and dual-position measurements
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the clinical reliability of short-term heart rate variability: insights from controlled dual-environment and dual-position measurements
title_short Assessing the clinical reliability of short-term heart rate variability: insights from controlled dual-environment and dual-position measurements
title_sort assessing the clinical reliability of short term heart rate variability insights from controlled dual environment and dual position measurements
topic Heart rate monitoring
Heart rate control
Autonomic nervous system
Statistics
Reproducibility of results
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89892-3
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