Factor analysis of the heart rate spectrum

The methodical problems of factor analysis of the heart rate spectrum have been considered: the multivariate normal assumption, factorability of the intercorrelation matrix, criteria for determining the number of factors, and the validity of the factor analysis model. Unnormalized and normalized variables, the matrices of Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients were used. In the process of factor analysis (principal components method, Varimax Rotation), the restrictions and the possibility of different statistical criteria and procedures were explored. The meaning of the selected factors and the possibility of using the intercorrelation matrix of Spearman coefficients for unnormalized variables were considered.