Assessment of the dependence of heart rate variability on sleep patterns in adolescents

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Kazakh National Women's Teacher Training University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

2 Shymkent University, Shymkent, Kazakhstan

3 Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Almaty, Kazakhstan

10.22124/cjes.2026.10024

Abstract

Background: Sleep disturbances and irregular sleep schedules are increasingly recognized as important risk factors for autonomic nervous system function and cardiovascular health in adolescents. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a sensitive, noninvasive marker of autonomic regulation and cardiovascular adaptive capacity. Objective: To investigate the association between sleep schedule adherence and HRV parameters in adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 200 schoolchildren aged 15–16 years in grades 9–10 in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. Sleep patterns and chronotypes were assessed using the Horne–Östberg Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire. Based on bedtime, participants were classified into a regular sleep schedule group (n = 147) and an irregular sleep schedule group (n = 53). Heart rate variability was assessed with the VNS-Spectrum system (Neurosoft, Russia) under resting conditions and during an active orthostatic test. Time-domain, frequency-domain, and geometric HRV parameters were analyzed. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0. Results: Adolescents with a regular sleep schedule had significantly lower heart rate and higher RRNN, SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, total power (TP), and high-frequency (HF) values than those with an irregular sleep schedule (all p < 0.001). The LF/HF ratio and stress index (SI) were also significantly lower, indicating predominant parasympathetic activity and more effective autonomic regulation. During the orthostatic test, both groups showed physiological sympathetic activation; however, adolescents with a regular sleep schedule maintained significantly higher HRV indices, reflecting greater cardiovascular adaptive capacity. In contrast, adolescents with an irregular sleep schedule showed reduced HRV, greater sympathetic predominance, elevated stress index, and diminished autonomic functional reserves. Conclusions: A regular sleep schedule is associated with more favorable autonomic regulation, higher HRV, and greater cardiovascular adaptive capacity in adolescents. In contrast, irregular sleep patterns are associated with sympathetic predominance, reduced vagal modulation, and diminished cardiovascular functional reserve. These findings underscore the importance of sleep hygiene interventions and healthy sleep habits as preventive strategies for preserving cardiovascular health in adolescents.

Keywords

References

 
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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 4
October 2026
Pages 1125-1138

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