Question

Well-trained athletes generally have higher RSA prominence. How does that improve their performance?

Answer 1

RSA (Respiratory sinus arrhythmia )

RSA is a normal variation in heart rate that occur during each breathing cycle.The heart rate increases when breathing in and decreases when breathing out. During inhalation the intra thoracic pressure lowers due to the contraction and downward diaphragm movement and expansion of chest cavity. This reduces atrial pressure causing increased blood flow to the heart, that triggers baroreceptors that diminish vagal tone. This increases heart rate.

RSA improves pulmonary gas exchange efficiency by matching alveolar ventilation and capillary perfusion throughout respiratory cycle. RSA  has evolved to save energy for both respiratory and cardiac systems by reducing heart rate and by suppressing ineffective ventilation during the ebb of perfusion .