Article

Aims To analyse the effects of different modalities of exercise training on heart
rate variability (HRV) in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods and
results Eighty MetS participants (aged 50-70 years) were housed and managed in an
inpatient medical centre for 21 days, including weekends. Physical activity and
food intake/diet were intensively monitored. Participants were randomly assigned
into three training groups, differing only by intensity of exercise:
moderate-endurance-moderate-resistance ( re), high-resistance-moderate-endurance
( Re), and moderate-resistance-high-endurance ( rE). HRV was recorded before and
after the intervention by 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram. Although mean 24-hour
heart rate decreased more in Re than re (-11.6 +/- 1.6 vs. -4.8 +/- 2.1%; P =
0.010), low frequency/high frequency decreased more in re than Re (-20.4 +/- 5.5%
vs. + 20.4 +/- 9.1%; P = 0.002) and rE (-20.4 +/- 5.5% vs. -0.3 +/- 11.1%; P =
0.003). Very low frequency increased more in Re than re (+121.2 +/- 35.7 vs. 42.9
+/- 11.3%; P = 0.004). For all HRV parameters, rE ranged between re and Re
values. Low frequency/high frequency changes were linked with visceral fat loss
only in re (coefficient 5.9, 95% CI 1.9-10.0; P = 0.004). By day 21, HRV
parameters of MetS groups (heart rate -8.6 +/- 1.0%, standard deviation of R-R
intervals + 34.0 +/- 6.6%, total power + 63.3 +/- 11.1%; P < 0.001) became closer
to values of 50 aged-matched healthy controls. Conclusions A 3-week residential
programme with intensive volumes of physical activity (15-20 hours per week)
enhanced HRV in individuals with MetS. Participants with moderate intensity of
training had greater improvements in sympathovagal balance, whereas those with
high intensity in resistance training had greater decreases in heart rate and
greater increases in very low frequency. Modality-specific relationships were
observed between enhanced HRV and visceral fat loss. Clinical Trial Registration
URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00917917.

Langue : ANGLAIS