This paper proposes the Bracing–Dysregulation Loop (BDL), a candidate physiological framework describing how chronic abdominal–pelvic bracing may contribute to autonomic dysregulation through reciprocal interactions among four hypothesized links: (1) abdominal–pelvic bracing may alter respiratory mechanics and diaphragm behavior; (2) altered diaphragmatic mechanics may modify respiratory vagal afferent signaling; (3) altered respiratory–cardiac coupling and heart rate variability (HRV) may reflect diminished parasympathetic modulation; and (4) sympathetic and affective arousal may reinforce defensive somatic patterning. Each link is supported by existing human literature; however, the full loop has not been empirically tested as an integrated system.
The framework identifies a measurable peripheral biomechanical phenotype — operationalizable using surface electromyography of abdominal and pelvic-floor musculature, respiratory pattern sensing, and HRV monitoring — that existing centrally-focused autonomic models do not currently provide as a longitudinally measurable construct in free-living conditions. The paper advances seven falsifiable predictions intended to guide empirical evaluation and explicitly distinguishes hypothesis from established evidence throughout.
This is a hypothesis manuscript prepared for the autonomic, psychophysiology, biomechanics, and somatic clinical research communities. Comments and collaborative empirical evaluation are welcomed.
Author: Kace Lagun, M.S.Ed., M.Phil.Ed.Independent Researcher, Burlington, Vermont, USAContact: kace@soften.health
Declarations of interest: The author reports a recently filed patent application related to detecting chronic muscle bracing and providing haptic feedback. Specific implementation details are not described in this manuscript.