Exercise intensity to maximal aerobic speed, physical activity level and heart rate variability in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Physical inactivity is main cause of disease worldwide. Identify the physical exercise preference, resulting in increases adherence and future intention to perform physical activity. The preference of the intensity of exercise questionnaire (PRETIE-Q) is the main tool used to assess preference in physical exercise. Variables as age, body mass index (BMI), usual physical activity level (PAL), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2máx), can influence in PRETIE-Q answers. The purpose of this study was investigate if there is relation between preference for exercise intensity with maximal aerobic speed (MAS), PAL and heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausal women phase. Participated of study 30 subjects who answer PRETIE-Q together with analyses of MAS, PAL and HRV. Preference was large correlated with MAS (r = 0.63), PAL (r = 0.57) and HRVRMSSD (r = 0.52). Together, MAS (40.4%), PAL (10.7%) and HRVRMSSD (6.4%) explained 57.5% of the preference score. This results study allow to health professional, that prescribe physical exercise, understand that subjects with high aerobic capacity, cardiovagal modulation and usual PAL will have preference for high intensity exercise. In consequence, can increase the adherence to systematic practice of physical exercise. Conclude that preference of exercise intensity for women in postmenopausal phase is related with aerobic capacity, high HRV and physical activity level.