The exercise heart rate profile in master athletes compared to healthy controls. (23rd December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kwon, Osung; Park, Saejong; Kim, Young‐Joo; Min, Sun‐Yang; Kim, Yoo Ri; Nam, Gi‐Byoung; Choi, Kee‐Joon; Kim, You‐Ho
• Is Part Of: Clinical physiology and functional imaging. Volume 36:Number 4(2016:Jul.)
• Page Start: 286
• Page End: 292
• Publication Date: 2014-12-23
• Subjects: athlete -- autonomic nervous system -- exercise -- exercise test -- heart rate; Physiology, Pathological -- Periodicals; Diagnostic imaging -- Periodicals; 612
• DOI: 10.1111/cpf.12226
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-0961

Abstract

Summary: Endurance exercise protects the heart via effects on autonomic control of heart rate (HR); however, its effects on HR indices in healthy middle‐aged men are unclear. This study compared HR profiles, including resting HR, increase in HR during exercise and HR recovery after exercise, in middle‐aged athletes and controls. Fifty endurance‐trained athletes and 50 controls (all male; mean age, 48·7 ± 5·8 years) performed an incremental symptom‐limited exercise treadmill test. The electrocardiographic findings and HR profiles were evaluated. Maximal O2 uptake (52·6 ± 7·0 versus 34·8 ± 4·5 ml kg −1 min −1 ; P <0·001) and the metabolic equivalent of task (15·4 ± 1·6 versus 12·2 ± 1·5; P <0·001) were significantly higher in athletes than in controls. Resting HR was significantly lower in athletes than in controls (62·8 ± 6·7 versus 74·0 ± 10·4 beats per minute (bpm), respectively; P <0·001). Athletes showed a greater increase in HR during exercise than controls (110·1 ± 11·0 versus 88·1 ± 15·4 bpm; P <0·001); however, there was no significant between‐group difference in HR recovery at 1 min after cessation of exercise (22·9 ± 5·6 versus 21·3 ± 6·7 bpm; P = 0·20). Additionally, athletes showed a lower incidence of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) during exercise (0·0% versus 24·0%; P <0·001). Healthy middle‐aged men participating in regular endurance exercise showed more favourable exercise HR profiles and a lower incidence of PVCs during exercise than sedentary men. These results reflect the beneficial effect of endurance training on autonomic control of the heart.