HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN ATHLETES DURING A VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED WORKING MEMORY EXPERIENCE

Authors : İrem Özgün, Elif Işıkçı Koca, Hansi Scharfen, Eda Özbilgen, Deniz Yerlikaya, Adil Deniz Duru

Pages : 207-234

Doi:10.53600/ajesa.1500658

View : 46 | Download : 64

Publication Date : 2024-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The study explores the link between cognitive performance and heart rate variability (HRV) using a virtual reality (VR) cognitive assessment system by Neo Auvra® Digital Health and Bionics Technologies Inc. All participants underwent varying levels of mental workload in the VR environment, with metrics like Verbal Working Memory Capacity Item Number (VeWMCIN), Visuospatial Working Memory Capacity Item Number (ViWMCIN), Working Memory Efficiency Task Switching Speed (WMETSS), and Visual Attention Accuracy (VAA). Heart Rate Variability (HRV) data was collected during VR session from two groups: athletes and sedentary individuals. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was employed. When analyzing the results of the study, it was concluded that HRV parameters did not differ significantly (according to p-value) or significantly (according to 95% Cis and effect sizes) between different levels (cognitive load), HRV parameters showed significant (according to p-value) and significant (according to 95% Cis and effect sizes) differences between different groups, while athletes had better values in all HRV parameters except HF%, LF%, IF%.
Keywords : Heart Rate Variability, Virtual Reality, Cognitive Performance, Athletes, Working Memory