Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of dynamic resistance training on heart rate variability in healthy older women

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Twenty healthy women aged between 65 and 74 years, trained three times a week, for 16 weeks, on a cycle ergometer, to determine the effects of dynamic resistance training on heart rate variability (HRV). Subjects were allocated to two training groups, high (HI, n=10) and low (LO, n=10) intensity. The HI group performed eight sets of 8 revolutions at 80% of the maximum resistance to complete 2 pedal revolutions (2RM); the LO group performed eight sets of 16 pedal revolutions at 40% of 2RM. Subjects were tested twice before, as control period (−4 weeks and 0 weeks) and once after training (16 weeks) for HRV, maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of knee extensors and peak power (P p) of lower limbs by jumping on a force platform. HRV was measured using time and frequency domain parameters. Two-way ANOVA for repeated measures was performed on all variables (P<0.05). Results showed no differences between training groups. Following training HRV was not modified, while MVC and P p significantly increased. The two proposed forms of dynamic resistance training were appropriate to improve muscle power and strength in elderly females without affecting HRV. More research should verify the effects of an isometric and more prolonged training stimulus on HRV in older subjects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Ani M, Munir SM, White M, Townend J, Coote JH (1996) Changes in R-R variability before and after endurance training by power spectral analysis and by effect of isometric contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol 74:397–403

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • American College of Sports Medicine (1998) Exercise and physical activity for older adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 30:992–1008

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bloomfield DM, Magnano A, Bigger JTJR, Rivadeneira H, Parides M, Steinman RC (2001) Comparison of spontaneous vs. metronome-guided breathing on assessment of vagal modulation using RR variability. Am J Physiol 280:H1145–H1150

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boutcher SH, Stein P (1995) Association between heart rate variability and training response in sedentary middle-aged men. Eur J Appl Physiol 70:75–80

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davy KP, Miniclier NL, Taylor A, Stevenson ET, Seals DR (1996) Elevated heart rate variability in physically active postmenopausal women: a cardioprotective effect? Am J Physiol 271:–H455–H460

  • Dekker JM, Schouten EG, Klootwijk P, Pool J, Swenne CA, Kromhout D (1997) Heart rate variability from short electrocardiographic recording predicts mortality from all causes in middle-aged and elderly men. The Zutphen study. Am J Epidemiol 145:899–908

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Meersman RE (1992) Respiratory sinus arrhythmia alteration following training in endurance athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 64:434–436

    Google Scholar 

  • De Vito G, Bernardi M, Forte R, Pulejo C, Macaluso A, Figura F (1998) Determinants of maximal instantaneous muscle power in women aged 50–75 years. Eur J Appl Physiol 78:59–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dreifus LS, Agarwal JB, Botvinick EH, Ferdinand KC, Fisch C, Fisher JD, Kennedy JW, Kerber RE, Lambert CR, Okike ON, Prystowsky EN, Saksen SV, Schroeder JS, Williams DO (1993) Heart rate variability for risk stratification of life-threatening arrhythmias. J Am Coll Cardiol 22:948–950

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fiatarone MA, O'Neill EF, Ryan ND (1994) Exercise training and nutritional supplementation for physical frailty in very elderly people. N Engl J Med 330:1769–1775

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frontera WR, Meredith CN, O'Reilly KP, Knuttgen HG, Evans WJ (1988) Strength conditioning in older men: skeletal muscle hypertrophy and improved function. J Appl Physiol 64:1038–1044

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gregoire J, Tuck S, Yamamoto Y, Hughson RL (1996) Heart rate variability at rest and exercise: influence of age, gender and physical training. Can J Appl Physiol 21:455–470

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greig CA, Young A, Skelton DA, Pippet E, Butler FMM, Mahmud SM (1994) Exercise studies with elderly volunteers. Age Ageing 23:185–189

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haennel R, Teo KK, Quinney A, Kappagoda T (1989) Effects of hydraulic circuit training on cardiovascular function. Med Sci Sports Exerc 21:605–612

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huikuri HV, Pikkujamsa SM, Airaksinen KEJ, Ikaheimo MJ, Rantala AO, Kauma H, Lilja M, Kesaniemi A (1996) Sex-related differences in autonomic modulation of heart rate in middle aged subjects. Circulation 94:122–125

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen-Urstad K, Saltin B, Ericson M, Storck N, Jensen-Urstad M (1997a) Pronounced resting bradycardia in male elite runners is associated with high heart rate variability. Scand J Med Sci Sports 7:274–278

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen-Urstad K, Storck N, Bouvier F, Ericson M, Lindblad IE, Jensen-Urstad M (1997b) Heart rate variability is related to age and gender Acta Physiol Scand 160:235–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Loimaala A, Sievanen H, Laukkanen R, Parkka J, Vuori I, Huikuri H (1999) Accuracy of a novel real-time microprocessor QRS detector for heart rate variability assessment. Clin Physiol 19:84–88

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loimaala A, Huikuri H, Oja P, Pasanen M, Vuori I (2000) Controlled 5-mo aerobic training improves heart rate but not heart rate variability or baroreflex sensitivity. J Appl Physiol 89:1825–1829

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melanson ED (2000) Resting heart rate varibility in men varying in habitual physical activity. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32:1894–1901

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melanson EL, Freedson PS (2001) The effect of endurance training on resting heart rate variability in sedentary adult males. Eur J Appl Physiol 85:442–449

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pagani M, Lombardi F, Guzzetti S, Rimoldi O, Furlan R, Pizzinelli P, Sandrone G, Malfatto G, Dell'Orto S, Piccaluga E, Turiel M, Baselli G, Cerutti S, Malliani A (1986) Power spectral analysis of heart rate and arterial pressure variabilities as a marker of sympatho–vagal interaction in man and conscious dog. Circ Res 59:178–193

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perini R, Milesi S, Fisher NM, Pendergast DR, Veicsteinas A (2000) Heart rate variability during dynamic exercise in elderly males and females. Eur J Appl Physiol 82:8–15

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perini R, Fisher NM, Veicsteinas A, Pendergast DR (2002) Aerobic training and cardiovascular responses at rest and during exercise in older men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 34:700–708

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ray CA, Carrasco DI (2000) Isometric handgrip training reduces arterial pressure at rest without changes in sympathetic nerve activity. Am J Heart Circ Physiol 279:H245–H249

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ray CA, Hume KM (1997) Sympathetic neural adaptations to exercise training in humans: insights from microneurography. Med Sci Sports Exerc 30:387–391

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruha A, Sallinen S, Nissila S (1997) A real-time microprocessor QRS detector system with a 1-ms timing accuracy for the measurements of ambulatory HRV. Trans Biomed Eng 44:159–167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schuit AJ, Van Amelsvoort LGPM, Verheij TC, Rijneke RD, Maan AC, Swenne CA, Schouten EG (1998) Exercise training and heart rate variability in older people. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:816–821

    Google Scholar 

  • Seals D, Chase PB (1989) Influence of physical training on heart rate variability and baroreflex circulatory control. J Appl Physiol 66:1886–1895

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shephard RJ (1997) Aging, physical activity and health. Human Kinetics, Champaign, Ill.

  • Sinoway LI, Rea RF, Mosher TJ, Smith MB, Mark AL (1992) Hydrogen ion concentration is not the sole determinant of muscle metaboreceptor responses in humans. J Clin Invest 89:1875–1884

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sipila S, Suominen H (1995) Effects of strength and endurance training on thigh and leg muscle mass and composition in elderly women. J Appl Physiol 78:334–340

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology the North American Society of Pacing Electrophysiology (1996) Heart rate variability. Standards of measurements, physiological interpretation and clinical use. Circulation 93:1043–1065

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Umetani K, Singer DH, McCraty R, Atkinson M (1998) Twenty-four hour time domain heart rate variability and heart rate: relations to age and gender over nine decades. J Am Coll Cardiol 31:593–601

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Hoof R, Macor F, Lijnen P, Staessen J, Thijs L, Vanhees L, Fagard R (1996) Effect of strength training on blood pressure measured in various training conditions in sedentary men. Int J Sports Med 17:415–422

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study has been funded by a grant from the Istituto Universitario di Scienze Motorie di Roma. The authors wish to thank Katie Gibb for her help in carrying out the study. The study complies with the current laws of the country in which the experiments were performed.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Universitario di Scienze Motorie di Roma, Piazza Lauro De Bosis 15, 00194, Rome, Italy

    Roberta Forte & Francesco Figura

  2. Strathclyde Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 76 Southbrae Drive, Glasgow G13 1PP, UK

    Roberta Forte & Giuseppe De Vito

Authors
  1. Roberta Forte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Giuseppe De Vito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Francesco Figura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giuseppe De Vito.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Forte, R., De Vito, G. & Figura, F. Effects of dynamic resistance training on heart rate variability in healthy older women. Eur J Appl Physiol 89, 85–89 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-002-0775-1

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-002-0775-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation