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Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Optimization

Meaning

Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) Optimization is a specific physiological goal aimed at maximizing the natural, cyclical change in heart rate that occurs with breathing. A higher RSA amplitude is a robust, non-invasive metric of high vagal tone and cardiovascular flexibility, indicating a well-regulated autonomic nervous system. Optimization protocols are clinically designed to enhance this heart rate fluctuation, which signifies the parasympathetic nervous system’s capacity to quickly modulate heart rhythm in response to respiratory input. This optimization is directly linked to improved stress resilience and overall systemic health.