Research on the features of cardiac autonomic nervous activity of divers under simulated stressors with computer games

Objective To explore the features of cardiac autonomic nervous activity of divers by analyzing the heart rate and heart rate variability of 27 divers and 30 ordinary naval personnel ashore.Methods Subjects'heart rate and heart rate variability were recorded under stressors of computer games.Results (1) Under stressful conditions,divers experienced significantly less terror and strain than ordinary naval personnel ashore.(2) Main effects on heart rate variability (HRP) at the 3 stages could be significantly seen in the subjects of the 2 groups [F(2,110) =67.700,P ＜ 0.01)],and the main effect on LF was obviously marked [F(2,110) =20.774,P ＜ 0.01)],the main effect on HF was also marked [(F (2,110) =5.647,P ＜0.05)],the main effects on LF/HF could be significantly noted [(F(2,110) =6.101,P ＜ 0.05)],and the main effect on Lfnu was significant [(F (2,110) =6.184,P ＜ 0.05)] and the main effect of Hfnu was also significant [(F (2,110) =6.735,P ＜ 0.05)].(3) No significant differences could be seen,when comparisons were made between the groups,and interactions were quite obvious in LF/HF between the 2 groups and at different stages [F (2,110) =4.285,P ＜ 0.05].Conclusions (1) Under simulated stressful conditions,cardiac autonomic nervous activity of divers had the following features:sympathetic nerve strain increased at the anticipation period,and parasympathetic nerve strain decreased.However,at the coping period,both sympathetic nerve and parasympathetic nerve strain all decreased,with the parasympathetie nerve strain decreased only with a small margin.(2) Better vagus nerve function in divers could down-regulate the intensity of negative emotion and at the same time incoordination of vagus nerve also had some effect on sensitivity of negative emotion. Key words: Stress; Diver; Heart rate variability