The Influence of Physical Exercise, Stress and Body Composition on Autonomic Nervous System: A Narrative Review
Authors:   University of Foggia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia, Italy, Moscatelli Fiorenzo , Sessa Francesco ,   University of Foggia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia, Italy, Valenzano Anna ,   University of Foggia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia, Italy, Polito Rita ,   University of Foggia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia, Italy, Eronia Sara ,   University of Foggia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia, Italy, Monda Vincenzo ,   University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Naples, Italy, Cibelli Giuseppe ,   University of Foggia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia, Italy, Villano Ines ,   University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Naples, Italy, Scarinci Alessia ,   Department of Education Sciences, Psychology and Communication, University of Bari, Bari, Italy, Perrella Michela ,   University of Foggia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia, Italy, Porro Chiara ,   University of Foggia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia, Italy, Cristian Francavilla ,   Universita degli Studi di Enna “Kore”, Enna, Italy, Scattarella Fabio ,   UOC orthopedics and traumatology, San Paolo Hospital, Bari, Italy, Monda Marcellino ,   University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Naples, Italy, Messina Antonietta ,   University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Naples, Italy, Messina Giovanni ,   University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, Naples, Italy
Published: July 2022

The heart rate variability (HRV) changes under different situations such as physical exercise, stress and in obese/ overweight subjects. It is considered a noninvasive marker of autonomic nervous system function. The aim of this narrative review was to discuss the relationship between HRV and physical exercise. Moreover, we will make an overview about HRV and stress, and HRV and body composition. There are a large number of studies dealing with HRV, however, few of them explain relationship between HRV and physical exercise, stress and body composition. HRV has proved to be a valuable tool to investigate the sympathetic and parasympathetic function of the ANS. Nonlinear parameters can be used to analyze the health of the subjects and is also used to investigate the stress and the physical exercise level. Despite the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated, these finding can be used as a starting point to determine a non-invasive index of cardiac wellness for clinical and nutritional application. Thus, physiological feedback via monitoring HRV would prove useful for addressing the individual’s present capability, be it during selection processes or returning to duty following injury or illness but should not be used to diagnose any pathological conditions.