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Heart rate variability in women with joint hipermobility

Joint hypermobility is the ability to make joint movements greater than normal. The prevalence has large variations determined by race, sex, age, physical activity and variations in characterization criteria. Approximately 30% of adults are considered carriers and present proprioceptive feedback and sensory decreased and joint space positioning altered leading to greater frequency of activation and deformation on the mechanoreceptors in the skeletal muscles and skin. The increase of afferent impulses of the receptors on the bulb cardiovascular area alters the autonomic control on the heart. The objective of the study was to evaluate sympathovagal balance during orthosthatic maneuver in women with hipermobility. Twenty-seven sedentary volunteers participated in this study, with mean age of 19.97±1.79, body mass index below 25 kg/m² and without medication. After the joint hipermobility diagnosis according to Beighton score, they were divided into 2 groups: 12 with hipermobility (HG) and 15 without hipermobility (CG). The electrocardiogram was performed during 10 minutes at supine position and stand for analysis of heart rate variability. The band of high frequency (un) presented reduction in vagal activity in HG, p<0.03. The low frequency increment (un) was higher in HG when compared to CG in orthosthatic maneuver with increased sympathetic activity, p<0.03. The joint hypermobility volunteers presented autonomic cardiac response altered with low vagal responsiveness.

joint instability; sensory receptor cells; heart rate


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