CARDIAC AUTONOMIC MODULATION IN BALLERINAS DURING DIFFERENT PRE-PERFORMANCE PHASES: EVIDENCE OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL READINESS FOR THE PERFORMANCE

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.01596726040614

• Palavras-chave: Heart rate variability; dance; autonomic nervous system; artistic performance; psychophysiological readiness.

• Keywords: Heart rate variability; dance; autonomic nervous system; artistic performance; psychophysiological readiness.

• Abstract:

  Introduction: Artistic performance constitutes a situation of high emotional, cognitive, and motor demand for dancers. Although pre-performance autonomic changes are often interpreted as indicators of stress and anxiety, recent evidence suggests that these responses may represent adaptive mechanisms of physiological preparation for performance. In this context, heart rate variability (HRV) has been used as a tool to monitor changes in autonomic modulation associated with psychophysiological readiness. Objective: To investigate changes in cardiac autonomic modulation in female dancers at different time points leading up to a dance performance. Methods: Twelve female dancers participated in the study (22±3 years; 65±12 kg; 165±4 cm; 23±5% body fat). HRV was assessed at three distinct time points: baseline (Basal), pre-dress rehearsal (PEG), and pre-performance (PES). R-R intervals were recorded using the Polar RX800® monitor and analyzed using Kubios HRV® software. Time-domain and frequency-domain variables were calculated. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA or the Friedman test was used, followed by the respective post hoc tests, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: A significant reduction in R-R intervals was observed in the PES condition (659±222 ms) compared to the Basal (814±64 ms) and PEG (806±131 ms) conditions (p=0.01). Normalized low-frequency components increased in the PES condition (70±16 units) compared to the Basal (51±19 units) and PEG (55±23 units) conditions (p=0.05), while normalized high-frequency components showed a significant reduction (29±16 un versus 48±19 un and 44±23 un; p=0.05). No significant differences were observed for SDNN, BFab, and AFab. Conclusion: The approach of the performance induces changes in cardiac autonomic modulation characterized by a relative increase in sympathetic activity and a reduction in vagal modulation. These findings suggest that the artistic performance triggers an anticipatory autonomic response consistent with a state of psychophysiological readiness for the performance, highlighting that preparation for the performance involves not only technical and physical aspects but also physiological mechanisms of adaptation to the emotional and cognitive demands of the event.