Abstract: Heart rate recovery (HRR) is the reduction of heart rate immediately after exercise, and it’s the consequence of vagal reactivation and sympathetic withdrawal that normally occur in this phase. HRR is also considered a valid index of training level and cardiovascular system health. A recent study (Singh, MSSE, 2008) demonstrates an association of attenuated 1-min HRR with higher BMI in a children population, suggesting a possible link between healthy body weight and faster HRR. However, this hypothesis is not supported by data about HRR values in healthy young athletes. PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate HRR in young athletes (age range 10 - 20 yr) and to analyze the relationships between HRR and other parameters, such as age, gender, BMI, heart rate at rest, maximal heart rate and workload achieved, sports practice. We also evaluated the effect of two different post-exercise protocols on HRR. METHODS: 1000 persons (606 male, 394 female) gave their informed consent to participate in the study. Each athlete completed a questionnaire and a maximal treadmill test using a ramp protocol. Heart rate was monitored before, during, and after the exercise, until the third minute of the recovery phase. Athletes were divided into two groups characterised by a different recovery modality (supine position right after exercise vs supine position after measuring blood pressure in standing position). RESULTS: The plot of HRR values yielded a sigmoidal curve showing a larger recovery between 30 and 90 seconds. An early supine position significantly increased HRR in the first minute (43,0 ±15,6 vs 52,6±16,0 bpm, p<0,001), while no differences were present after the second minute. Mean HRR was faster among male and younger athletes, while HRR and BMI appeared weakly related. CONCLUSION: Our data are at variance, but complete Singh’s data, confirming the hypothesis that a higher BMI is related to a reduced HRR only when it’s expression of overweight due to excess of fat mass and lower fitness level. Further, HRR values are significantly different depending on the position in the recovery post-exercise. As suggested by the American Heart Association, we recommend placing instantly patients in supine position after treadmill test in order to obtain the maximal heart rate recovery and standardize this parameter.
Heart Rate Recovery And Its Determinants In Young Athletes
ERMOLAO, ANDREA;ZACCARIA, MARCO
2010
Abstract
Abstract: Heart rate recovery (HRR) is the reduction of heart rate immediately after exercise, and it’s the consequence of vagal reactivation and sympathetic withdrawal that normally occur in this phase. HRR is also considered a valid index of training level and cardiovascular system health. A recent study (Singh, MSSE, 2008) demonstrates an association of attenuated 1-min HRR with higher BMI in a children population, suggesting a possible link between healthy body weight and faster HRR. However, this hypothesis is not supported by data about HRR values in healthy young athletes. PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate HRR in young athletes (age range 10 - 20 yr) and to analyze the relationships between HRR and other parameters, such as age, gender, BMI, heart rate at rest, maximal heart rate and workload achieved, sports practice. We also evaluated the effect of two different post-exercise protocols on HRR. METHODS: 1000 persons (606 male, 394 female) gave their informed consent to participate in the study. Each athlete completed a questionnaire and a maximal treadmill test using a ramp protocol. Heart rate was monitored before, during, and after the exercise, until the third minute of the recovery phase. Athletes were divided into two groups characterised by a different recovery modality (supine position right after exercise vs supine position after measuring blood pressure in standing position). RESULTS: The plot of HRR values yielded a sigmoidal curve showing a larger recovery between 30 and 90 seconds. An early supine position significantly increased HRR in the first minute (43,0 ±15,6 vs 52,6±16,0 bpm, p<0,001), while no differences were present after the second minute. Mean HRR was faster among male and younger athletes, while HRR and BMI appeared weakly related. CONCLUSION: Our data are at variance, but complete Singh’s data, confirming the hypothesis that a higher BMI is related to a reduced HRR only when it’s expression of overweight due to excess of fat mass and lower fitness level. Further, HRR values are significantly different depending on the position in the recovery post-exercise. As suggested by the American Heart Association, we recommend placing instantly patients in supine position after treadmill test in order to obtain the maximal heart rate recovery and standardize this parameter.
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