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Autonomic cardiovascular modulation in masters and young cyclists following high-intensity interval training

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed at examining the autonomic cardiovascular modulation in well-trained masters and young cyclists following high-intensity interval training (HIT).

Methods

Nine masters (age 55.6 ± 5.0 years) and eight young cyclists (age 25.9 ± 3.0 years) completed a HIT protocol of 6 x 30 sec at 175% of peak power output, with 4.5-min’ rest between efforts. Immediately following HIT, heart rate and R–R intervals were monitored for 30-min during passive supine recovery. Autonomic modulation was examined by i) heart rate recovery in the first 60-sec of recovery (HRR60); ii) the time constant of the 30-min heart rate recovery curve (HRRτ); iii) the time course of the root mean square for successive 30-sec R–R interval (RMSSD30); and iv) time and frequency domain analyses of subsequent 5-min R–R interval segments.

Results

No significant between-group differences were observed for HRR60 (P = 0.096) or HRRτ (P = 0.617). However, a significant interaction effect was found for RMSSD30 (P = 0.021), with the master cyclists showing higher RMSSD30 values following HIT. Similar results were observed in the time and frequency domain analyses with significant interaction effects found for the natural logarithm of the RMSSD (P = 0.008), normalised low-frequency power (P = 0.016) and natural logarithm of high-frequency power (P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Following high-intensity interval training, master cyclists demonstrated greater post-exercise parasympathetic reactivation compared to young cyclists, indicating that physical training at older ages has significant effects on autonomic function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bruce Highway, Rockhampton, QLD, 4702, Australia

    Nattai R. Borges, Peter R. Reaburn & Thomas M. Doering

  2. School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, Australia

    Nattai R. Borges

  3. Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia

    Christos K. Argus

  4. ACT Brumbies Rugby, Canberra, Australia

    Christos K. Argus

  5. The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

    Matthew W. Driller

Authors
  1. Nattai R. Borges
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  2. Peter R. Reaburn
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  3. Thomas M. Doering
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  4. Christos K. Argus
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  5. Matthew W. Driller
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Correspondence to Nattai R. Borges.

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Borges, N.R., Reaburn, P.R., Doering, T.M. et al. Autonomic cardiovascular modulation in masters and young cyclists following high-intensity interval training. Clin Auton Res 27, 83–90 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-017-0398-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-017-0398-6

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