Heart rate variability responses to a combined exercise training program: correlation with adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness changes in obese young men

Abstract

Although the influence of adiposity indices and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on heart rate variability (HRV) has been demonstrated extensively, the causal link between the changes in adiposity as well as in CRF and the alterations in cardiac autonomic function is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to assess the correlation between the changes in adiposity and CRF and the alterations in HRV after 12-week exercise training. Twenty obese sedentary men aged 20.5±1.2 years were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n=10 each): the control (CG) and the exercise group (EG). The EG trained 60 min of combined aerobic, anaerobic and strengthening exercise, 4 sessions/wk for 12 weeks, whilst the CG remained relatively inactive. Measurements of resting HRV, body composition, and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) were obtained at baseline and after the 12-week training program. Compared with CG, the exercise training significantly reduced adiposity indices and improved vagal-related HRV variables and VO2peak. Significant correlations were observed between changes in HRV variables and adiposity indices and VO2peak changes. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that changes in a Poincaré plot index (SD1/SD2 ratio) predicted 32.4% of the variance in the relative VO2peak changes. These findings suggest that obese sedentary young men achieved significant improvements in vagal activity, adiposity indices and aerobic fitness after the exercise training. The higher reduction in fat mass, especially central obesity, the greater alteration of vagal modulation. Moreover, the alteration in resting HRV is a possible predictor for adaptations to exercise training in obese sedentary young men.

Bayesian Estimation of Correlation between Measures of Blood Pressure Indices, Aerobic Capacity and Resting Heart Rate Variability Using Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulation and 95% High Density Interval in Female School Teachers

“…Nevertheless, the fact that research shows that the measures of resting HRV were not affected by exercise in the middle-aged group (50–59 years old) compared to the young group [ 26 , 28 ], that changes in HRV indices appear to flatten after 12 weeks of exercise [ 27 ] and that the maintenance of those changes could be achieved by exercising regularly [ 26 ], could in part explain i) the lack of evidence of association between measures of HRV indices and variables from the aerobic capacity test in this study and ii) the conflicting results reported in the literature. Another possible explanation is the newly reported results by Phoemsapthawee et al [ 38 ], showing that changes in vagal-related HRV are related to individual ability to adapt to exercise. This was further confirmed by the multiple stepwise regression, which did not show a meaningful relationship between measures of HRV indices and changes in VO2 peak [ 38 ].…”

“…Another possible explanation is the newly reported results by Phoemsapthawee et al [ 38 ], showing that changes in vagal-related HRV are related to individual ability to adapt to exercise. This was further confirmed by the multiple stepwise regression, which did not show a meaningful relationship between measures of HRV indices and changes in VO2 peak [ 38 ].…”

“…The results of these studies indeed confirm that changes in VO2 max are accompanied by changes in HRV indices [ 21 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 31 ]. The changes observed differed based on age and measuring condition (i.e., supine, standing) [ 28 ], duration of intervention [ 27 , 28 , 38 ], participants’ background [ 23 , 26 ] and measurement of time of day [ 39 ]. Nevertheless, the fact that research shows that the measures of resting HRV were not affected by exercise in the middle-aged group (50–59 years old) compared to the young group [ 26 , 28 ], that changes in HRV indices appear to flatten after 12 weeks of exercise [ 27 ] and that the maintenance of those changes could be achieved by exercising regularly [ 26 ], could in part explain i) the lack of evidence of association between measures of HRV indices and variables from the aerobic capacity test in this study and ii) the conflicting results reported in the literature.…”

Adiposity and physical activity are related to heart rate variability: the African‐PREDICT study

“…A recent smaller-sized study demonstrated that a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention was associated with a higher proportion of HF, lower LF component and therefore, lower LF/HF ratio in young men with obesity. 35 The authors concluded that changes of the vagal-related HRV parameters were related to body fat loss in the intervention group compared to the control group. Based on our results, it seems that not only obesity, but also low PA has adverse effects on autonomic nervous system activity.…”

Risk Factors Associated with Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Obese Individuals

“…Overweight individuals had sympathovagal imbalance due to increased sympathetic activity associated with visceral fat [4]. Physical activity significantly reduced adiposity rates and improved HRV variables related to vagal modulation in sedentary obese individuals [21].…”