Rev Bras Fisiol Exerc 2021;20(4);480-89
doi: 10.33233/rbfex.v20i4.4445
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Relationship between mood state and cardiac autonomic
modulation in jiu-jitsu fighters in the pre- and post-competitive period: a
pilot study
Relação
entre estado de humor e modulação autonômica cardíaca em lutadores de jiu-jitsu
nos períodos pré- e pós-competitivo: um estudo piloto
Bruno
Nascimento-Carvalho1,2, João Eduardo Izaias¹, Ney Roberto de Jesus¹,
Adriano dos Santos1, Thália Leticia Brito
Nascimento¹, Marcio Flavio Ruaro¹, Katia Bilhar Scapini¹, Iris Callado Sanches¹
1Laboratório do Movimento Humano,
Universidade São Judas Tadeu, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2Unidade de Hipertensão, Instituto do
Coração, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
Received:
November 13, 2020; Accepted:
August 2, 2021
Correspondence: Iris Callado Sanches, Universidade São Judas Tadeu, Rua
Taquari 546, 03166-000 São Paulo SP, Brazil
Bruno Nascimento-Carvalho: brunonascimentoc@gmail.com
João Eduardo Izaias:
joaoedi121@gmail.com
Ney Roberto de Jesus: neyoficialedf@gmail.com
Adriano dos Santos: adrianobrasco@gmail.com
Thália Leticia Brito
Nascimento: thalialeticia14@gmail.com
Marcio Flavio Ruaro:
prof.marcioruaro@gmail.com
Katia Bilhar Scapini:
katiascapini@gmail.com
Iris Callado Sanches: iris.sanches@saojudas.br
Abstract
Aim: To characterize the changes in
body composition, mood state and cardiac autonomic modulation in Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) of athletes in the pre- and post-competitive periods. Methods:
Eight male athletes were evaluated in 3 moments: 14 days and 1 day before the
fight, and 2 days after the competition. Evaluations of body composition, mood
state, and cardiac autonomic modulation were performed. The repeated measures Anova test, Pearson and Spearman correlation were used for data analysis (p < 0.05). Results:
We observed reductions in anger (6.80 ± 1.69 vs. 4.20 ± 1.67 vs. 3.40 ± 1.07)
and tension (6.60 ± 0.81 vs. 5.40 ± 0.75 vs. 2.60 ± 0.88) after
competition. Vigor was reduced one day before the competition and remained the
same two days after the competition (12.80 ± 1.60 vs. 10.00 ± 1.95 vs. 10.40 ±
1.03). In addition, there was an increase in sympathetic modulation (LF-PI:
2942 ± 655.3 vs. 5479 ± 2035 vs. 5334 ± 2418 abs). There was a positive correlation
between the state of vigor and sympathetic modulation (r = 0.55), a negative
correlation between the states of depression and sympathetic modulation (r =
-0.68) and confusion and sympathetic modulation (r = -0.67). Conclusion:
These findings raised concerns about the preparation of these athletes for
competitions since changes in the state of vigor might reduce performance and
increase cardiovascular risk.
Keywords: mood state; cardiac autonomic
modulation; combat sports.
Resumo
Objetivo: Caracterizar as alterações na
composição corporal, estado de humor e modulação autonômica cardíaca em
lutadores de Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) nos períodos pré- e
pós-competitivo. Métodos: Foram avaliados 8 lutadores em 3 momentos: 14
dias e 1 dia antes da luta, e 2 dias após a luta. Avaliou-se a composição
corporal, estado de humor e modulação autonômica cardíaca. Os dados foram
analisados por Anova de medidas repetidas e correlações de Pearson e Spearman (p < 0,05). Resultados: Estados de
humor: foi observada redução na raiva (6,80 ± 1,69 vs. 4,20 ± 1,67 vs. 3,40 ±
1,08), e tensão (6,60 ± 0,81 vs. 5,40 ± 0,75 vs. 2,60 ± 0,88) após a
competição. O vigor foi reduzido um dia antes da competição e se manteve
reduzido dois dias após a competição (12,80 ± 1,60 vs. 10,00 ± 1,95 vs. 10,40 ±
1,03). Adicionalmente, houve um aumento na modulação simpática cardíaca (BF-IP:
2942 ± 655,3 vs. 5479 ± 2035 vs. 5334 ± 2418 abs) um
dia antes da competição e se manteve aumentado no período pós-competitivo, fato
que sugere maior risco cardiovascular a longo prazo. Foi observada correlação
positiva entre o estado de vigor e a modulação simpática (r = 0,55), e
correlações negativas entre o estado de depressão e modulação simpática (r =
-0,68), e confusão e modulação simpática (r = -0,67). Conclusão: Estes
achados demonstram a necessidade de serem revistos os aspectos da preparação
competitiva destes atletas antes das competições, pois mudanças no estado de
vigor podem reduzir o desempenho e aumentar o risco cardiovascular.
Palavras-chave: estado de humor; modulação autonômica
cardíaca; esportes de combate.
Combat sports
athletes usually go through weight loss processes since adolescence [1,2]. When
this process happens repeatedly and abruptly, it might lead to a weight gain
and loss process resulting of lower basal metabolic rate and unsuccessful
weight maintenance [3]. That may harm the athlete’s body in many ways, such as
electrolytic disturbance; cardiovascular system disorders; and mental and mood
disorders in the fighters [4,5]. These damages demonstrate the importance of
analyzing body composition of Jiu-Jitsu athletes during competition periods,
since the relationship between modifications of the athletes’ bodies, mood and
autonomic cardiovascular modulation is not too clear in the literature [6].
Studies
demonstrate the importance of checking the mood state of the athletes in the
pre-competitive period, once the high level of stress during this period may
change the psychological condition of athletes, unleashing many physical and
biomechanical adaptations in the body, which may influence competitive
performance [7,8,9,10]. Previous studies demonstrated that weight loss in the
pre-competitive period harms the mood state and increase cardiac sympathetic
modulation in combat sports athletes [5].
The heart rate
variability (HRV) is an efficient tool to estimate the risk of a cardiac
disease and measure the autonomic cardiovascular modulation, since it is an
indicator of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is responsible for
some vascular activities, such as the control of blood pressure (BP) and heart
rate (HR) [11]. The HRV shows the variations in the intervals between
consecutive heartbeats, which is related to the influence of ANS in the sinus
node, it is also a non-invasive tool that can be used as an indicator in both,
common individuals, and specific groups [12].
However, the
data are scarce of specific characteristics of jiu-jitsu fighters, as well as
their adaptations on competitive periods. This pilot study aimed to identify
the changes in body composition of jiu-jitsu fighters, their mood state and
autonomic cardiovascular modulation in the pre-competitive and post-competitive
periods.
Experimental study design
The data were
collected in the training place and was analyzed at Universidade
São Judas Tadeu. The work was developed according to
declarations and guidelines on research involving human beings: the Nuremberg
Code, Declaration of Helsinki and resolution 466/12 of
the National Health Council. The Ethics Committee approved this study in the
terms of the protocol number 1.671.569, which was provided by Universidade São Judas Tadeu. The
evaluations were carried out in three occasions: 14 days before the competition,
1 day before the competition and 2 days after the competition. These
evaluations were performed 3 times to verify the athlete's baseline status,
their pre-competition and post-competition status of mood state and
cardiovascular autonomic modulation.
Inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria
The sample was
non-probabilistic, intentional and of convenience with 8 jiu-jitsu athletes.
The inclusion criteria were to be practicing the martial art for at least 6
months. The athletes who did not follow the preparation instructions for the
bioimpedance test were excluded.
Questionnaire of training characteristics:
All athletes
were submitted to a questionnaire to identify the features of the sample, with
questions regarding the athlete’s experience in the sport, their training
frequency, the kind, and the duration of training sessions and history of
competitions, drugs and/or anabolic steroids use.
Mood state
The BRUMS test
(BRUMS – Brunel Mood Scale) was performed on all test days. This test contains
24 simple mood indicators, such as feelings of anger, nervousness, and
dissatisfaction. The respondents answered how they felt about such situations
(the test days), according to a scale that ranged from zero (nothing) to four
(extremely). The completion of this test was performed by the individual
himself. The feelings listed on the scale constitute categories, which
correspond to the mood states of tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue and mental confusion [8].
Body composition
After that, we
analyzed the athlete’s body composition, their height and weight were measured
in all the occasions, and then we calculated their Body Mass Index (BMI). We
obtained additional data about body composition through the electrical
bioimpedance method using a Bioimpedance analyzer (brand: Biodynamic. Model:
BIA450). To carry out that procedure, each athlete was placed in a dorsal
decubitus position and had to be fasting for four hours before the procedure.
They were also oriented to refrain drinking alcohol, caffeine
and exercises for at least one day before the procedure. The bioimpedance test
provided the percentages of fat mass, lean body mass, and the amount of body
liquid through the passage of an electric current of low intensity (from 500 to
800 µA) and high frequency (50 kHz) through the body. The current was
imperceptible for them [5].
Hemodynamic data
After those
procedures, blood pressure was measured using a digital measurer (brand: OMRON
model: HEM-705CPIN), three times (with an interval of 2 minutes between each
measurement), as directed by the Brazilian Society of Hypertension (2010). The
athlete’s heart rate was recorded for 25 minutes when they were at rest (to
analyze the autonomic cardiovascular modulation subsequently) [5].
Heart rate variability
RR
intervals (IP2ms) were recorded using a heart rate monitor (brand:
Polar®, model: S810). The transmitter, which is clipped to a belt, detect the
electrocardiographic signal from heartbeat to heartbeat and transmit it through
an electromagnetic wave to a Polar® receiver clipped to the wrist, where the
information is digitalized, displayed and archived
[12]. This system can detect the ventricular depolarization, which corresponds
to the R wave in the electrocardiogram, with a 500 Hz Electrocardiogram
sampling frequency and a 1ms temporal resolution [13].
After the
cardiac signal was recorded, the data was transferred to the Polar Precision
Performance Software ® using the Infrared Interface (IrDA). That software
enables bidirectional data exchange with a microcomputer for later analysis of
cardiac pulse interval variability (RR) in different situation. After these
procedures, the data was transferred and saved to Text files, using Kubius software to analyze heart rate variability in both
time domain and frequency domain (Rapid Transformation) [5].
Regarding the
analysis of the autonomic cardiovascular modulation in the frequency domain,
the following parameters were observed: the low-frequency band (LF-PI,
sympathetic modulation), high frequency band (HF-PI, parasympathetic
modulation) and the ratio between low-frequency band and high-frequency (LF/HF
balance) [12].
Statistical analysis
Data were
presented as mean ± standard deviation. Homogeneity of the data was tested
using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The difference between the three moments was
verified using the repeated measures ANOVA test. Spearman and Pearson
correlations were also used. Significance was set to p < 0.05.
The participants
were 27.6 ± 2.42 years old. The data regarding how long they had practiced the
sport, how often they participated in competitions in the last months, how
often they trained and the kind of training they had are reported in Table I.
The participants did not use weight loss strategies for competitions while
tests were carried out, according to them. Nonetheless, three participants
reported to have used diuretic medicines in past competitions to lose weight in
the pre-competitive period. One participant told us that he had used an
anabolic steroid (Deposteron) to maximize his
performance 2 years ago.
Regarding the
specificity of their training, it was reported that they had, on average, 132 ±
34.99 minutes of technical training, 42 ± 7.34 minutes of physical training in
every weekly training session. We did not find any relevant changes in the
following parameters: body weight, BMI, lean body mass, fat body mass and total
amount of water in the body (Table II).
The values
obtained using the Brums scale did not indicate any changes in fatigue (Figure
1A), neither in mental confusion (Figure 1C), nor in depression (Figure 1F) in
none of the 3 evaluations conducted in the pre-competitive and post-competitive
periods. However, we found some decrease in tension (Figure 1B) (14 days
before: 6.60 ± 0.81; 1 day before: 5.40 ± 0.75; 2 days after: 2.60 ± 0.87),
vigor (Figure 1D) (14 days before: 12.80 ± 1.59; 1 day before: 10.00 ± 1.94; 2
days after: 10.40 ± 1.03) and anger (Figure 1E) (14 days before: 6.80 ± 1.69; 1
day before: 4.20 ± 0.66; 2 days after: 3.40 ± 1.08) values obtained in the test
carried out post fight when compared to baseline.
No statistical
difference was found in the values regarding the arterial pressure, neither the
systolic or in the diastolic (Table III). Results
showed an increase in cardiac sympathetic modulation (LF-PI band) (14 days
before: 2942 ± 655.3; 1 day before: 5479 ± 2035; 2 days after: 5334 ± 2418 ms2)
evaluation before the competition and in post-competitive period when compared
to baseline evaluations, suggesting an increase in the possibility of high-risk
cardiovascular disorder in the athletes (Figure 2A). We did not find any
changes in the parasympathetic modulation (HF-PI band) (Figure 2B), neither in
the sympatho-vagal modulation (LF/HF) (Figure 2C).
No significant
correlation was observed between all parameters of mood states and sympatho-vagal modulation (LF/HF). States of tension (r =
0.11 p =0.71), anger (r = -0.44 p = 0.14), fatigue (r = 0.53 p = 0.19), vigor
(r =- 0.21 p = 0.47), depression (r = 0.42 p = 0.15), confusion (r = 0.07, p =
0.82) and sympatho-vagal modulation. Moreover,
correlation analyzes were performed between mood states and cardiac sympathetic
modulation (LF-PI band). No significant correlation was observed between mood
states tension (r = -0.40 p = 0.17), anger (r = 0.29 p = 0.33), and fatigue (r
=- 0.02 p = 0.93) and sympathetic modulation. However, a positive correlation
was observed between vigor and sympathetic modulation (r = 0.55 p < 0.05)
(Figure 3A), negative correlations between depression and sympathetic
modulation (r =- 0.68 p < 0.05) (Figure 3B) and between confusion and
sympathetic modulation (r =- 0.67 p < 0.05) (Figure 3C).
Table I - Characteristics
of the athletes who participated in this study
The data are presented
with mean ± standard deviation
Table II - Distribution
and body composition of the athletes
kg = kilograms. The
data are presented with mean ± standard deviation.
Table III - Parameters
related to the arterial pressure
SBP = Systolic blood
pressure; DBP = diastolic blood pressure. The data are presented with mean ±
standard deviation
Figure 1 - The
affect conditions according to the Brums Mood Scale 14 days before the fight,
one day before the fight and two days after the fight. (A)
Fatigue, (B) Tension, (C) Confusion, (D) Vigor, (E) Anger, (F) Depression. * p
< 0.05 vs. 14 days before the fight. Repeated measures ANOVA test
Figure 2 - Cardiac
autonomic modulation 14 days before the fight, one day before the fight and two
days after the fight. (A) Low-frequency band of the R.R. intervals (B)
High-Frequency Ban of the R.R. Intervals. (C) Sympatho-vagal
balance. *p < 0.05 vs. 14 days before the fight. Repeated measures ANOVA
test
Figure 3 - Correlation
between (A) Vigor and low-frequency of pulse interval band, (B) Depression and
the low-frequency of pulse interval band and (C) Mental confusion and
low-frequency of pulse interval band. Spearman correlation test
This study
presented previously unpublished results on the changes in the mood state and
the cardiac autonomic modulation of jiu-jitsu fighters in the pre-competitive
and post-competitive period. Despite the small sample can be a limiting factor
of this study, the athletes are experienced, considering the many years they
had been practicing and the number of competitions they had participated.
Usually, the
mood condition is related to the “optimism” construct, which can influence
athlete’s self-confidence during competitions and lead to a better performance
and better outcomes [8,14,15]. The fighters have a higher percentile regarding
vigor when compared to other states in the three evaluated moments in the
pre-competitive period, which was also found regarding other sports [8]. This
condition, in which the values related to vigor are higher and the values
related to the other feelings (fatigue, mental confusion, depression, anger and
tension) are lower is known as “Iceberg Profile” and shows a positive mental
condition of the athletes [16].
Nonetheless, the
decrease in vigor as the competition day (1 day before the fight vs. 14 days
before the fight) approaches is worrisome, since this should be when the
athletes are at the peak of the technical, physical, and psychological
preparation, compared to all the previous moments. This demonstrates that some
aspects of their training should be reviewed. Regarding the reduction in the
feelings of tension and anger in the post-competitive period (2 days after the
fight vs. 14 days before the fight), that is exactly what we expected, once the
training period and competitive period was over in that moment.
No change was
found in feelings of fatigue, depression, and mental confusion. The stability
of the percentiles related to the feeling of fatigue is an important predictor
of the athlete’s performance during the competition, according to a study that
analyzed the performance of two-year training of judo fighters for the 1992
Olympic Games [7].
A relevant
aspect of those athletes physical training is the amount of time devoted to
technical training, rather than to physical training. That fact indicates that,
in general, fighters use the biological principle related to the specific
characteristics of the sport (principle of specificity), by which their body is
provided with specific stimuli that are useful to the practice of the sport.
This promotes a better adaptation to the demands of the body during
competitions, especially in the muscular system, motor system, and body
joints [17]. Another study published shows similar results to those found
in our study with fighters of different combat sports [5].
The fighters
reported not to use any strategy to lose weight quickly in the pre-competitive
period. However, 37.5% of them reported they had done it in the past. It is
important to point out that a quick weight loss process harms the body in many
ways, such as causing hormonal imbalance, electrolytic disturbance, mood
disorders, disorders in the cardiovascular system and a decrease in physical
strength [3]. The results regarding the body composition of the athletes have
confirmed that there were no changes in the parameters related to that neither
in the pre-competitive nor in the post-competitive period.
Jiu-jitsu is
considered a good physical conditioning strategy for healthy individuals
regarding the cardiovascular system, since its recovery period after exercises
promotes blood pressure and heart rate decrease [18]. Indeed, the systolic and
diastolic blood pressure values are maintained in the present study, regardless
of the stress generated by the pre-competitive preparation process. However,
there was an increase of 16 mmHg in diastolic arterial pressure (14 days before
of fight vs. 1 day before of fight) and increase of 8 mmHg in systolic arterial
pressure (1 day before of fight vs. 2 days after of fight), that are clinically
relevant. It might be explained by fluctuations in the autonomous control that
regulates hemodynamic parameters [19].
The cardiac
autonomic modulation is an important and non-invasive analysis that provides
indicators for sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic modulation. These two
complex systems are essential to keep the organic balance [19]. Reflexive
responses of the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems allow adjustments
of cardiac output and vascular peripheral resistance, contributing to the
stabilization and maintenance of systemic blood pressure during different
physiological situations [20]. The high values of cardiac sympathetic
pre-combat evaluation (1 day before of fight vs. 2 days after of fight), and
the remaining high values in the post-combat analysis can be considered
worrisome. Considering previous studies that demonstrated that a higher of
cardiac sympathetic modulation is a strong indicator of increased risk of
cardiovascular diseases, since it presents less capacity for adaptation in
stressful situations in different populations [20,21].
We found
interesting that the values regarding mental confusion and depression remained
stable, regardless of whether the test was conducted in the pre-competitive or
in the post-competitive period. However, they are negatively related to cardiac
sympathetic modulation. The correlation between the feeling of vigor and the
cardiac autonomic modulation during a competition is described in a study with
Paralympic athletes during a competition. In that study, the authors found a
positive correlation between the indicators of cardiac parasympathetic
modulation and vigor [8].
Nonetheless, we
found a positive correlation between vigor and the cardiac sympathetic
modulation. An important fact to point out is that the cardiac autonomic
modulation is controlled by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic functions
in an integrated way, because of that, we can consider that the capacity of
vigor to affect the sympathetic autonomic function is natural. Another
important factor is the changes in values of cardiac sympathetic modulation and
vigor from the second test (one day before the fight) and from the third test
(two days after the fight) which are similar.
The main results
of this study demonstrate remarkable changes in the mood state and in the
cardiac autonomic modulation in jiu-jitsu fighters in the pre-competitive and
post-competitive periods. These findings highlight the need to review some
aspects of the training strategies of the athletes before competitions, because
the decrease found in vigor may interfere with their performance and induce
imbalances on cardiac autonomic modulation.
Potential conflict of
interest
No conflicts of
interest have been reported for this article.
Financing source
This study was financed
in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES)
- Finance Code 001.
Author’s contributions
Conception and design
of study: Nascimento-Carvalho B, Sanches IC, Izaias JE; Acquisition, analysis and/or interpretation of
data: Nascimento-Carvalho B, Sanches IC, Izaias JE, de Jesus NR, Nascimento TLB; Drafting the
manuscript: Nascimento-Carvalho B, Sanches IC, Izaias JE; Revising the manuscript critically for important
intellectual content: Nascimento-Carvalho B, Sanches
IC, Ruaro MR, Scapini KB.