Background and Objective: Relaxation techniques are used in rehabilitation and health sports depending on indication and goal. Generally, active and passive methods can be distinguished. The goal is to reduce physiological and psychological stress reactions by means of relaxation and thus affect the vagal tone. The aim of the study was to monitor the influence of one passive and one active relaxation method on measurable parameters of HRV. Methodology: Ten female probands were randomized after verification of the inclusion criteria and divided into two groups using a crossover design (1st week: PMR = G1, G2 = fantasy trip/Week 2: G1 = fantasy trip, G2 = PMR). Each group carried out a disk guided relaxation programme three times a week for two weeks. Place and time of day remained constant (const. temp). The duration was 30 minutes. The HRV was recorded using Suunto Memory Belt and analyzed with the program HRV Analysis (256 RR intervals in the end part of the meeting). The statistical analysis was performed using one-and two-factor ANOVA with repeated measures. Post-hoc analyses were performed after Bonferroni correction. The level of significance was 5 %. Results: Over the days of the study no significant differences for the HRV parameters were found (p > 0.05). Also, the HRV parameters (SD1, SD2, Mean RR) showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the groups. During the relaxing fantasy trip the Mean RRSD increased by 3.4 % and decreased during the PMR 8.68% (p < 0.05). Conclusion: From the results one can conclude that no difference exists between the two relaxation techniques. Both lead to the charazteristical courses of relaxation. However, the application of passive methods seems to lead to higher parasympathettc shares regarding the total variability.
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