Is aerobic endurance a determinant of cardiac autonomic regulation?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine if subjects matched for VO2max but with differing aerobic endurance displayed similar heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and heart rate recovery (HRR) after maximal exercise. We hypothesized that the higher the aerobic endurance, the higher the HRV and the faster the HRR. Twenty-eight well trained middle- and long-distance runners (24 men and 4 women) performed a maximal continuous graded exercise test for the determination of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), ventilatory threshold (VT), peak treadmill velocity (PTV) and HRR, as well as a test to measure the autonomic regulation of heart rate during supine rest, using HRV analysis. Once both tests were completed, subjects were matched for VO2max and assigned to the low endurance or the high endurance group, depending on the %PTV at which VT occurred (81.9 +/- 2.9 and 88.3 +/- 3.1%PTV for both groups, respectively; P < 0.0001). Contrary to our hypotheses, neither HRV nor HRR parameters were different between groups or associated with aerobic endurance. VO2max (59.0+/-7.3 ml min(-1) kg(-1)) was inversely correlated with ln SDNN (r = -0.44, P < 0.05), ln HF (r = -0.52, P < 0.05), ln LF + HF (r = -0.53, P < 0.05). These results suggest that aerobic endurance is not associated with cardiovascular autonomic control, as measured by HRV and HRR.

Relationship between exercise capacity and heart rate variability: Supine and in response to an orthostatic stressor

“…However, results are inconsistent and studies reported significant correlations as well as no correlations between VO 2max and the same HRV indicators (Bucheit and Gindre, 2006;Marocolo and Nadal, 2007;Bosquet and Gamelin, 2007;Kouidi et al, 2002;Sendelides et al, 2003). It is suggested that an explanation for the disparity could lie in the differences between the subjects investigated (Kouidi et al, 2002).…”

In search of the optimal measure for assessment of parasympathetic control of heart rate

“…Bosquet et al [3] confirmed these findings in 28 middle-and long-distance runners (mean age 30-33 years, mean VO 2max 58-60 ml/kg per min). Buchheit and Gindre [4] studied 55 healthy subjects (mean age 30.8 ± 1.8 years) grouped according to their fitness level (assessed as VO 2max ) and training load (assessed by the Baecke sport score).…”

“…Javorka et al [10] first reported a lack of association between the measured HRV and HRR in 17 untrained healthy men (mean age 20.3 ± 0.2 years, maximum power output 164 ± 5 W) in 2002. Bosquet et al [3] confirmed these findings in 28 middle-and long-distance runners (mean age 30-33 years, mean VO 2max 58-60 ml/kg per min). Buchheit and Gindre [4] studied 55 healthy subjects (mean age 30.8 ± 1.8 years) grouped according to their fitness level (assessed as VO 2max ) and training load (assessed by the Baecke sport score).…”

Stratification of the level of aerobic fitness based on heart rate variability parameters in adult males at rest

“…Most of the studies on healthy populations showed the effects of physical training and HRV indices (Kawaguchi et al, 2007;Marocolo, Nadal & Barbosa, 2007;Melanson & Freedson, 2001;Rosenwinkel et al, 2001). However, other studies showed the opposite (Grant et al, 2013;Bosquet et al, 2007). Thus, the present study investigated another possibility of indices, based on HRV analysis, since it is already associated with physical fitness (Nasario-Junior et al, 2014;Nasario-Junior et al, 2015a).…”