ACTA UNIVERSITATIS PALACKIANAE OLOMUCENSIS GYMNICA ...

56 Acta Univ. Palacki. Olomuc., Gymn. 2004, vol. 34, no. 2respiration frequency and a higher level of inspirationand expiration muscle activation. Decrease of respiratoryfrequency led to a shift of frequency componentbound to respiration that we regard as vagus activity inthe spectral field in the sphere of LF frequency component.According to Paleček et al. (1999), intensifyingrespiratory volume infl uences pressure proportion inthe lungs and reflectively stimulates total vagus activity.When compared to spontaneous respiration, we foundsignifi cant enhancement of total spectral power, thatwe regard as the demonstration of total activity of theautonomous nervous system. Respiratory bound vagusactivity moved during bradypnoe into the sphere ofthe LF frequency component, mainly participating inthe enhancement of total spectral power. Respiratorybound vagus activity, respectively frequency and amplitudechanges are influenced by the relationship betweenrespiratory frequency and volume. Their dominant frequencyin the zone of the HF frequency componentwas not bound in this case to respiration and its sourceis still unclear. The influence of the activity of other innerorgans, parasympathetically directed, comes underconsideration. There is also the probability that thedominant frequency in the HF zone is a harmonic frequencyinfluenced by a frequency shift of the dominantfrequency bound to respiration.Respiring alternatively through the right and leftnostrils (the technique of anuloma viloma) was linkedwith a decrease in respiratory frequency, enhancementof respiratory volume and partial enhancement of upperairways resistance when compared to spontaneousrespiration. According to empirical experience, this respiratorytechnique is regarded as a so-called harmonisedrespiration technique, leading to a subjective feeling ofmental calming when applied. This technique presenteditself within the results of the spectral analysis of heartrate variability as a non-significant enhancement of totalspectral power, a decrease in spectral power in the zoneof the VLF frequency component and, at the same time,an enhancement of spectral power in the sphere of LFand HF frequency components. The spectral power ofthe LF frequency component was very probably modulatedby a shift of respiratory bound parasympatheticactivity during the slowing of respiratory frequency toless than 9 cycles/min. from the HF zone during spontaneousrespiration into the LF zone during applicationof this technique. Compared to spontaneous respirationit is possible to understand this technique specifically asrelaxation and as a regenerative technique that increasesthe share of parasympathetic activity in the total ANSactivity.The kapalabhaty technique consists of shallowrapid diaphragm breathing with a frequency of about120 cycles/min. During this respiratory technique we observeda significant reduction in the total spectral powerand a concurrent reduction in the spectral powers in allthree partial spectral components. Respiratory boundvagus activity shifted during the use of this techniqueabove the upper frequency zone of 0.4, respectively0.5, Hz and its frequency, we suppose, regarding theaverage respiration frequency of 107.4 cycles/min. in theproximity of 1.79 Hz. The picture of SAHRV changesduring this technique is a reflection of a specific stresssituation characterised by a higher share of sympatheticactivity regulating cardiac activity. The origin of lurkingfrequency activity in the zone of HF frequency componentthat is not bound to respiration is still unclear. Theorigin of these frequencies in the HF zone we probablysee as activity that is modulated by signals from otherinner organs innervated by the vagus nerve.CONCLUSIONS• Respiratory pattern is a fundamental factor that objectivelyinfluences the actual functional activity ofthe autonomous nervous system and increases theextent of vagus activity in its total activity.• Respiration frequency actually influences the positionof respiratory bound frequency that we regardas vagus activity. The position of respiratory boundvagus activity can be expressed by the numericrelation RvFr (mHz) = 0.0167 × Rf/min. duringexamination by SAHRV method. (Question no. 1,confirmation of hypothesis no. 1.)• Rhythmisation of respiration, respectively stabilityof respiratory frequency and stability of respiratoryvolume, stabilises the frequency and amplitude ofrespiratory bound vagus activity.• During bradypnoe with a respiratory frequency ofless than 9 cycles/min., a shift of respiratory boundactivity happens, from the HF frequency componentinto the zone of the LF frequency component. Respiratorybound vagus activity, under these conditions,becomes the dominant frequency in the zone of theLF component. (Confirmation of hypothesis no. 3.)• An increase in respiratory volume during the useof the bradypnoe technique of full yoga breathincreases signifi cantly the amplitude modulation(spectral power in ms 2 ) of respiratory bound vagusactivity. Enhancement of ANS activity with a higherdominance of parasympathetic activity is the effectof this type of respiration. (Confirmation of hypothesesno. 2, 4.)• The so-called technique of kapalabhaty (tachypnoe)can be regarded as a specific type of physical loadthat decreases markedly the variability of R-R intervals.• Frequency activity in the zone of the HF frequencycomponent during use of the kapalabhaty techniquewhen the frequency shift of respiratory bound vagus