Cardiac autonomic responses during and after a single session of aerobic exercise with and without blood flow restriction

Abstract

To verify the on and off heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) kinetics during a high-load aerobic exercise and a low-load aerobic exercise, with and without blood flow restriction (BFR). Methods: Fourteen healthy male subjects performed three randomly assigned experimental sessions: 1) 10 minutes walking at 40% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS) (40LL); 2) 10 minutes walking at 40% of MAS with BFR (40LL+BFR); and 3) 10 minutes running at 70% of MAS (70HL). The HR and HRV measurements were taken at rest, during exercise and the recovery period after constant load sessions. Results: The HR on-and off-kinetics, and HRV on-kinetics were faster in 40LL than in 40LL +BFR and 70HL (p < 0.05). The time constant (τon) of HR on-kinetics was faster in 40LL+BFR than in 70HL (23.4 ± 9.5 s vs 42 ± 9.5 s, respectively, p < 0.01), and was accompanied by faster HRV on-kinetics (12.4 ± 9.6 s vs 20.3 ± 13.7 s, respectively, p < 0.01). Although HR off-kinetics was not different between 40LL+BFR and 70HL, the recovery of time and frequency HRV indices were delayed in 70HL when compared to 40LL and 40LL+BFR (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings indicate that 40LL promoted faster cardiac adjustments compared to 40LL+BFR and 70HL sessions. Additionally, 40LL+BFR promoted faster cardiac adjustment and better HRV recovery compared to the 70HL session.

Acute Hemodynamic, Metabolic, and Hormonal Responses to a Boxing Exergame with and without Blood Flow Restriction in Non-Athlete Young Individuals

“…In the protocol without BFR, the HRV frequency parameters (HF, VLF, and TP) decreased, albeit insignificantly in the case of HF, which is consistent with prior research that reported a significant decrease in VLF during treadmill running [ 35 ]. Frequency-based HRV parameters, such as HF and LF, reflect the neural activity of regulatory mechanisms during exercise.…”

“…Upon transitioning from rest to exercise, skeletal muscle contractions are enhanced by parasympathetic inhibition and, subsequently, by mechanical muscle reflexes and gradual sympathetic activation, such as the release of catecholamines. Furthermore, low-load exercise with BFR is believed to increase muscle metabolites resulting from tissue hypoxia, inadequate removal from the limited venous return, and shifting metabolic and neuromuscular reflex state [ 35 ], which may contribute to exaggerated sensations of perceived exertion as observed in the present study.…”

“…Acute and transient types of HRV have recently come under investigation during various conditions during physical activity, including BFR. According to research, a higher HR may lead to delayed HR adaptation and HRV in the transient kinetics of low-load exercise with BFR relative to exercise without BFR [ 35 ]. However, insignificant hemodynamic increases following BFR in the present study may partially be explained by the level of restriction applied during exercise.…”

Cardiac autonomic recovery in response to aerobic versus resistance exercise in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

“…Vianna et al [23] have demonstrated significant impairment in HR kinetics after lower limb and upper limb resistance exercise with greater deterioration following lower limb exercise. Moreover, HR kinetics was also found to be impaired in healthy men following AE [24]. Regarding the comparison of autonomic responses between control, AE, and RE, Niemela et al [25] also observed significant impairment in recovery pattern of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) after both exercise forms in comparison to the control condition.…”