A study was to investigate the relationship between resting heart rate variability (HRV) and cognitive functions during threat of shock.

A Continuous Performance Task and a Working Memory Task were used to measure cognitive functions. Sixty-five male participants from the Royal Norwegian Navy participated.HRV was measured before the study commenced, and the randomly assigned into non-threat and threat groups. They then had their HRV measured while they were undertaking the cognitive tests and during recovery.Overall, the high HRV participants showed superior performance on cognitive tasks independent of non-threat or threat conditions. During threat condition the low HRV group showed improved performance.The researchers concluded that “high HRV were more stress tolerant and resilient in the face of environmental changes”.So how can you improve your HRV?Anxiety, Stress and Coping, Volume 22, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages 77-89

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