Abstract:
Objectives: Heart Rate Variability has gained substantial interest in both clinical and athletic settings as a measurement tool for quantifying autonomic nervous system activity and psychophysiological stress. However, its uses in tactical work settings, such as military, police, and firefighting environments, remain controversial. Given the physical, mental, and emotional stress public safety personnel face both operationally and in training, heart rate variability measurement may be key in promoting their health, safety and operational effectiveness. Methods: This study identified, critically appraised, and summarized primary studies investigating relationships between heart rate variability and outcomes of interest to tactical personnel. Key literature databases were searched, and quality assessment checklists were applied to analyze retained literature. The results of the screening and assessment processes, along with key data extracted from each study were summarized and tabulated. Research gaps were also identified to facilitate improvements to how tactical personnel and health or performance providers may best utilize heart rate variability to monitor or promote personnel health and performance, and thereby facilitate public safety. Results: Twenty studies were included and were all of generally high quality. Cohort size, length of follow-up, measurement objectives, data acquisition, and data analysis all varied considerably across studies, precluding meta-analysis. However, study results correlating heart rate variability and relevant outcomes indicated that overall, heart rate variability is an effective indicator of key fitness and performance elements in the tactical work setting. Conclusions: Heart rate variability can be an effective health and performance tool in tactical work environments. However, measurement methods must be carefully selected and applied. Further research is required to understand causal relationships. Specifically, larger cohort inclusion and the isolation and study of specific variables unique to public safety work and training may improve the effectiveness of heart rate variability measurement to provide meaningful information to end users and providers.
摘要:
目标:心率变异性作为量化自主神经系统活动和心理生理应激的测量工具,在临床和运动环境中都获得了极大的兴趣。然而,它在战术工作环境中的用途,比如军事,警察,和消防环境,仍然有争议。鉴于物理,心理,公共安全人员在操作和培训中面临的情绪压力,心率变异性测量可能是促进他们健康的关键,安全性和操作有效性。方法:本研究确定,批判性评价,并总结了调查心率变异性与战术人员感兴趣的结果之间关系的主要研究。检索了关键文献数据库,和质量评估清单用于分析保留的文献。筛选和评估过程的结果,以及从每项研究中提取的关键数据进行了总结和制表.还确定了研究差距,以促进改进战术人员和健康或绩效提供者如何最好地利用心率变异性来监测或促进人员健康和绩效。从而促进公共安全。结果:共纳入20项研究,总体质量较高。队列大小,随访时间,测量目标,数据采集,和数据分析在研究中都有很大差异,排除荟萃分析。然而,心率变异性和相关结局的相关研究结果表明,总体而言,心率变异性是战术工作环境中关键健身和表现要素的有效指标。结论:在战术工作环境中,心率变异性可以成为有效的健康和绩效工具。然而,必须仔细选择和应用测量方法。需要进一步的研究来理解因果关系。具体来说,更大的队列纳入以及对公共安全工作和培训特有的特定变量的隔离和研究可能会提高心率变异性测量的有效性,从而为最终用户和提供者提供有意义的信息.