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01-07-2010 | Original Article

Increased heart rate variability and executive performance after aerobic training in the elderly

Authors: Cédric T. Albinet, Geoffroy Boucard, Cédric A. Bouquet, Michel Audiffren

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 4/2010

Abstract

This study examined the effects of two short physical training programs on various parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) and on executive performance in older people. Twenty-four sedentary men and women aged 65–78 years were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise program or a stretching program three times a week for 12 weeks. Resting HRV was measured in time and frequency domains in each participant before and after the 12-week programs. Executive performance was measured with the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST). Significant group–session interactions emerged for the standard deviation of normal beat-to-beat (R–R) intervals, the root-mean-square of successive R–R, and high frequency power. Only the aerobic training group increased vagal-mediated HRV parameters. Moreover, only the participants in the aerobic training group improved their performance on the WCST. These results highlight the role of aerobic exercise as an important cardiac and brain protective factor, and suggest a direct link between exercise, HRV, and cognition in the aged population.

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Title: Increased heart rate variability and executive performance after aerobic training in the elderly
Authors: Cédric T. Albinet
Geoffroy Boucard
Cédric A. Bouquet
Michel Audiffren
Publication date: 01-07-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 4/2010
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1393-y

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Increased heart rate variability and executive performance after aerobic training in the elderly

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