Methods of assessment of the post-exercise cardiac autonomic recovery: A methodological review. (15th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peçanha, Tiago; Bartels, Rhenan; Brito, Leandro C.; Paula-Ribeiro, Marcelle; Oliveira, Ricardo S.; Goldberger, Jeffrey J.
• Is Part Of: International journal of cardiology. Volume 227(2017)
• Page Start: 795
• Page End: 802
• Publication Date: 2017-01-15
• Subjects: Heart rate recovery -- Heart rate variability -- Autonomic nervous system -- Exercise -- Parasympathetic nervous system; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.10.057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-5273

Abstract

Abstract: The analysis of post-exercise cardiac autonomic recovery is a practical clinical tool for the assessment of cardiovascular health. A reduced heart rate recovery – an indicator of autonomic dysfunction – has been found in a broad range of cardiovascular diseases and has been associated with increased risks of both cardiac and all-cause mortality. For this reason, over the last several years, non-invasive methods for the assessment of cardiac autonomic recovery after exercise – either based on heart rate recovery or heart rate variability indices – have been proposed. However, for the proper implementation of such methods in daily clinical practice, the discussion of their clinical validity, physiologic meaning, mathematical formulation and reproducibility should be better addressed. Therefore, the aim of this methodological review is to present some of the most employed methods of post-exercise cardiac autonomic recovery in the literature and comprehensively discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Highlights: Post-exercise autonomic analysis is a tool for the assessment of cardiac health. We reviewed the most commonly methods for post-exercise autonomic recovery analysis. Assessment of post-exercise autonomic function using the provided methods is encouraged. The reliability and clinical properties of these methods must be better addressed.