Exploring Heart Rate Variability During a Postural Control Task using Virtual Reality and a Moving Platform

Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a marker of autonomic nervous system balance, is influenced by factors such as age, gender, trauma, and overall health. This study used BioVRSea, a virtual reality-integrated motion platform, to assess HRV responses during postural control challenges. We investigated whether the multisensory setup, involving visual, acoustic, and motion stimuli, could differentiate participants based on age (over-40, under-40), gender, and concussion status based on HRV analysis. Pearson correlation was used to identify HRV features associated with age, and statistical analyses revealed significant differences related to both age and gender. Participants with a history of concussion exhibited distinct HRV patterns compared to healthy controls, particularly during the movement and recovery phases of the experiment. Future research will focus on expanding the cohort, especially among individuals with medical conditions, to enhance statistical power. Key goals include improving system portability and further exploring HRV as a potential biomarker for concussion.