The Vagus Nerve's Role in Heart Rate Variability
Vagal activity and parasympathetic nervous system function produce respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and heart rate variability (HRV).
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BCIA Continuing Education Posts
The BioSource Faculty Explain Peer-Reviewed Science
BioSource Faculty
Aug 723 min read
A Comprehensive Guide to HRV Myths
This review addresses 14 misconceptions regarding cardiovascular health, HRV measurement, and HRV biofeedback training.
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BioSource Faculty
Aug 712 min read
A Comprehensive Breathing Myths Guide
Breathing ensures healthy CO2 levels. The main functions of breathing are gas exchange and acid-base (pH) regulation.
348 views1 comment
BioSource Faculty
Jun 154 min read
Upgrade Your HRV Biofeedback System
If you don’t correct dysfunctional breathing patterns like overbreathing, they can compromise the effectiveness of HRVB training.
189 views0 comments
BioSource Faculty
May 267 min read
Provide Slow-Paced Contraction Training Using the Optimal HRV Application
Slow-paced contraction (SPC) increases heart rate variability (HRV) as effectively as slow-paced breathing (SPB).
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Fred Shaffer
Mar 241 min read
Do longer exhalations increase HRV during slow-paced breathing?
Download our open-access Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback inhalation-to-exhalation ratio article.
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BioSource Faculty
Aug 27, 202313 min read
BCIA Essential Skills: Blood Volume Pulse
Blood volume pulse (BVP) is an indispensable tool for evaluating and training clients for chronic pain, hypertension, and performance.
236 views0 comments
BioSource Faculty
Jun 18, 202312 min read
Four Heart Rate Variability Myths
Four HRV myths are Heart Rate Variability Is Bad, Stability Is Good, The Sympathetic Nervous System Plays a Major Role in Short-Term HRV,...
693 views0 comments
BioSource Faculty
Dec 3, 202212 min read
Rethinking the Resonance Frequency (RF) - Part 2: Slow-Paced Breathing
Resonance frequency (RF) assessment identifies the stimulation frequency producing the greatest amplitude heart rate oscillations in one...
537 views0 comments
BioSource Faculty
Nov 15, 202215 min read
A Guide to Selecting HRV Norms
Measurement context and client characteristics are crucial to interpreting HRV time- and frequency-domain measurements. In this post, we...
665 views1 comment
BioSource Faculty
Oct 22, 202213 min read
HRV Time-Domain Measurements for Smart People
HRV Time-Domain Measurements for Smart People describes these measurements, caveats, and practical applications.
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Fred Shaffer
Jul 31, 20226 min read
Slow-Paced Contraction Increases HRV
Slow-paced contraction to increase heart rate variability
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Fred Shaffer
Jul 28, 20223 min read
Low-Frequency Power and Coherence Index HRV Biofeedback Training Success
The low-frequency (LF) band (0.04-0.15 Hz) is affected by breathing from ~3-9 bpm (Task Force, 1996). The baroreflex system’s resonance...
230 views0 comments
Fred Shaffer
Jul 27, 20222 min read
When Should You Not Use PPG Sensors to Measure HRV?
The electrocardiograph (ECG) and photoplethysmograph (PPG) are two methods of detecting heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV)....
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Fred Shaffer
Jul 26, 20221 min read
How HRV Biofeedback Increases RSA
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is the speeding and slowing of the heart across each breathing cycle. RSA is the primary and entirely...
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Fred Shaffer
Jul 26, 20222 min read
Faster Heart Rates Lower HRV and Increase Dementia Risk
Heart rate (HR) is important because a high rate can reduce heart rate variability (HRV), the changes in the time intervals between...
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