There are few studies in the literature that have evaluated the effects of using percutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve for sports purposes (to accelerate recovery after physical exertion). It has been demonstrated that tVNS in athletes improved the rate of heart rate recovery, reduced lactic acid levels in blood plasma, reduced pain, reduced overtraining syndrome and fatigue levels.
Several studies have shown that transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) potentially exhibits therapeutic effects similar to its invasive counterpart. tVNS is performed using surface electrodes and low-frequency electrical currents, targeting specific locations, most commonly the auricular branch of the vagus nerve or its cervical branch. Stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve activates vagal sensory fibers, simulating sensory input to the brainstem and forming what is known as the auriculo-vagal afferent pathway. Since these fibers project directly to the nucleus of the solitary tract (also known as the solitary tract nucleus), which in turn has direct or indirect projections to nuclei that provide noradrenergic, endorphinergic, and serotonergic fibers in various parts of the brain, regulating systemic parameters of cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune functions, it can be expected that the body's response to stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve will be systemic. With the onset of physical exercise, sympathetic activity in the body increases and reaches a plateau value after a certain period of maximum activity. After the end of physical exercise, suppressed parasympathetic activity begins to intensify, and the sympathetic system gradually returns to a resting state. After training, parasympathetic system activation continues for up to 48 hours. In certain types of training, when the frequency of anaerobic respiration increases during physical exertion, a decrease in parasympathetic reactivation may be observed. In the literature, there are individual studies that have evaluated the effects of transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve for sports purposes (to accelerate recovery processes after physical exertion). It has been demonstrated that tVNS in athletes improves heart rate recovery, reduces lactate levels in plasma, reduces pain sensations, decreases overtraining syndrome, and reduces fatigue levels. The aim of this study is to: evaluate the influence of low-frequency electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve on the functional reserve of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in athletes during the post-training period, after high-intensity workouts.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
125
tVNS will be performed daily after workouts for 60 minutes over a period of 8 weeks.
Autonomous Non-Profit organization of additional education sports school BECOME A CHAMPION
Krasnodar, Russia
RECRUITINGDynamics of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max).
During a cardiorespiratory exercise test, the level of VO2max (ml/min/kg) is assessed.
Time frame: The level of VO2max is estimated at the beginning of the study (initially) and at the end of the study (after 8 weeks) in the active and fictitious stimulation groups.
The dynamics of the treadmill speed at the level of the anaerobic threshold of metabolism.
During the cardiorespiratory exercise test, the treadmill speed (km/h) is estimated at the level of the anaerobic metabolic threshold.
Time frame: Treadmill speed is estimated at the beginning of the study (initially) and at the end of the study (after 8 weeks) in the active and dummy stimulation groups.
Dynamics of the treadmill speed at the level of the aerobic metabolism threshold of metabolism.
During the cardiorespiratory exercise test, the treadmill speed (km/h) is estimated at the level of the aerobic metabolic threshold.
Time frame: Treadmill speed is estimated at the beginning of the study (initially) and at the end of the study (after 8 weeks) in the active and dummy stimulation groups.
The dynamics of the heart rate (HR) at the level of the anaerobic threshold of metabolism.
During the cardiorespiratory exercise test, the HR is estimated at the level of the anaerobic metabolic threshold.
Time frame: HR is estimated at the beginning of the study (initially) and at the end of the study (after 8 weeks) in the active and dummy stimulation groups.
The dynamics of the heart rate (HR) at the level of the aerobic threshold of metabolism.
During the cardiorespiratory exercise test, the HR is estimated at the level of the aerobic metabolic threshold.
Time frame: HR is estimated at the beginning of the study (initially) and at the end of the study (after 8 weeks) in the active and dummy stimulation groups.
The dynamics of RMSSD.
During the time analysis of heart rate variability, the RMSSD parameter is estimated.
Time frame: This parameter is evaluated at the beginning of the study (initially) and at the end of the study (after 8 weeks) in the groups of active and fictitious stimulation.
HF dynamics
During the spectral analysis of heart rate variability, the HF (high frequency) parameter is estimated.
Time frame: This parameter is evaluated at the beginning of the study (initially) and at the end of the study (after 8 weeks) in the groups of active and fictitious stimulation.
Dynamics of the LF/HF ratio.
The LF/HF ratio is estimated during the spectral analysis of heart rate variability.
Time frame: This LF/HF ratio is evaluated at the beginning of the study (initially) and at the end of the study (after 8 weeks) in the active and fictitious stimulation groups.
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