Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Heart rate recovery (HRR) has been shown to be a predictor of mortality and morbidity. HRR is a reflection of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function and particularly of vagal reactivation. Maximal heart rate and aerobic capacity (VO2max) differs between arm and leg exercise. However, it is unknown if heart rate recovery pattern are similar between arm and leg exercise. PURPOSE: The main purpose of the present study is to examine the difference in the heart rate recovery pattern following maximal arm and leg ergometry. METHODS: 9 healthy subjects (5 males and 4 females; 26 ± 5.8 yrs) performed graded maximal arm and leg ergometry tests in a randomized, crossover design. Breath by breath gas was collected to measure VO2 max. After the maximal tests HR at 1 and 2 mins of recovery was recorded. HRR was calculated from each graded maximal exercise test, as maximal HR attained during the test minus the HR at 1 min (HRR1) and maximal HR minus the HR at 2 min after exercise (HRR2). HR reserve was calculated as maximum HR - resting HR RESULTS: The HRR1 following arm ergometry was significantly higher than HRR1 post leg ergometry (p<0.05). The HRR % as function of maximum HR in 1st min. after arm test was also significantly lower than HRR% following leg ergometry (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: HRR following maximal arm ergometry was greater than HRR following maximal leg ergometry, suggesting that ANS function differs between exercise modes. Based on our results it appears that vagal reactivation is greater in the first minute following arm compared to leg ergometry. This finding may have implications for the clinical utility of HRR following arm ergometry.TABLE
Published Version
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