Effect of Standing on Short Term Heart Rate Variability Across Age

This study examined the response of heart rate variability measures to standing in three age groups of male subjects: Children (6-11 years), young adults (20-30 years) and elderly (60-70 years). Supine and standing heart rate variability indices were measured in all the subjects using power spectral analysis. The effect of posture on heart rate variability was assessed using the change in heart rate variability measures over resting values during the first 2 min following active standing. There was an attenuated response in normalized low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) power to standing in the elderly as compared with young adults and children. Heart rate variability responses to standing were highest in the young adults, followed by the children and the elderly, although the differences between the young adults and children were not significant. More studies are needed to characterize HRV responses to posture in children.