Effect of Modified Valsalva Maneuver on Heart Rate and ECG among Young Non-Athletes and Athletes

Valsalva maneuver (VM) is an indicator of cardiac Autonomic function as well as it is used clinically for testing patency of Eustachian tube in Ear examination. According to one Cochrane systematic review, the modified maneuver may be effective in 19–54% of cases and there is insufficient evidence to either recommend it or advise against it in supra-ventricular tachycardia.

The present cross sectional study was conducted in research lab, Department of Physiology, Late Shree Barat Ratana Atal Bihari Vajpeyi Memorial Medical college, Rajnandgaon (C.G) India, during study period April to october 2016. There are two study groups-young athletes engaged in endurance sports and non athletes, first year students of medical college. All the subjects had been demonstrated and practiced modified Valsalva Maneuver and after that subjects was selected for the study (30 in each group comprising of males and females). During modified Valsalva Maneuver continuous recording of Heart Rate and ECG is done. Data obtained so will be recorded and analyzed.

Heart rate was significantly higher after Modified Valsalva Maneuver in athlete, while it was significantly lower in non athlete after Modified Valsalva Maneuver. No significant difference in heart rate between athlete & non athlete group before Modified Valsalva Maneuver. But there was significant difference heart rate between both groups after Modified Valsalva Maneuver. Significantly higher no. of Athletes showed increase t wave duration & prolonged TP Segment as compared to non athletes.

Modified Valsalva Maneuver is good index of cardiovascular system.