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Abbreviated Resonant Frequency Training to Augment Heart Rate Variability and Enhance On-Demand Emotional Regulation in Elite Sport Support Staff

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Abstract

Support and management staff in elite sport experience work-related stress and emotional disturbance to a similar extent as athletes (Fletcher and Wagstaff 2009). The resonant frequency breathing technique (Lehrer et al. 2000) can inhibit autonomic changes associated with stressful situations or events and as such provides a potential emotional regulation tool. The present study utilised five practitioner-led heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback sessions and home practice via mobile applications to train support and management staff (n = 9) in resonant frequency breathing techniques. Although baseline HRV did not change from pre to post training, participants increased total HRV (i.e., SDNN; p = .006), parasympathetic HRV (i.e., RMSSD; p = .028) and HRV reflective of baroreflex function (i.e., low frequency power; p = .018) while accurately performing resonant frequency breathing without a breath pacer. Post-intervention questionnaire data revealed an increase (p = .032) in habitual use of somatic strategies for emotional regulation, and social validation data suggested that the technique enhanced emotional regulation at home, work and during international competition. HRV biofeedback and the resonant frequency technique provided an on-demand emotional regulation technique for elite sport support and management staff.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Welsh Government Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) funding. The authors would like to thank the performance science staff at Sport Wales for warmly welcoming project staff and continued cooperation. The authors would also like to thank the Welsh Elite Performance Sport Innovation Network (WEPSIN) for their time and expertise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology, Early Years and Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, UK

    Mike J. Gross, David A. Shearer & Ross Hall

  2. Sport Wales Institute, Sport Wales, Cardiff, UK

    Joy D. Bringer

  3. School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK

    Christian J. Cook

  4. A-STEM, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK

    Liam P. Kilduff

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  1. Mike J. Gross
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  2. David A. Shearer
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Correspondence to David A. Shearer.

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Gross, M.J., Shearer, D.A., Bringer, J.D. et al. Abbreviated Resonant Frequency Training to Augment Heart Rate Variability and Enhance On-Demand Emotional Regulation in Elite Sport Support Staff. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 41, 263–274 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-015-9330-9

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