The impact of physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness on heart rate variability in overweight and obese college students: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to examine the impact of varying physical activity (PA) intensities on heart rate variability (HRV), to explore the relationships among cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body composition, and HRV, and to further characterize sex-specific HRV patterns in overweight and obese college students.

Methods

A total of 184 overweight or obese college students were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Participants were categorized into low, medium, or high intensity PA groups using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Body fat percentage and muscle mass were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, while CRF was estimated from maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) derived from a cycle ergometer test. Resting H

SUBMITTER: Su M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12826037 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature