Parasympathetic reactivation in children: influence of two various modes of exercise

Abstract

This study examined the effect of various modes of exercise on parasympathetic reactivation in children. Twelve healthy boys volunteered for this study. Time domain measurement of heart rate variability in 5 and 10min and heart rate recovery (HRR) in 1 (HRR1) and 2min (HRR2) were measured during recovery after incremental exercise tests by a 12-lead ECG. Incremental exercise tests were performed using either upper (arm cranking) or lower body (cycling) ergometers. The amounts of increase in RMSSD and PNN50 in 5 and 10min of recovery were higher in arm cranking compared to cycling. HRR1 and HRR2 were significantly higher after arm cranking compared to cycling. These results suggest that parasympathetic reactivation is likely greater following exercises that use smaller muscle mass (arm cranking) rather than larger muscle mass (cycling) in healthy boys.