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01-10-2018 | Original Article

Delayed parasympathetic reactivation and sympathetic withdrawal following maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in hypoxia

Authors: Alessandro Fornasiero, Aldo Savoldelli, Spyros Skafidas, Federico Stella, Lorenzo Bortolan, Gennaro Boccia, Andrea Zignoli, Federico Schena, Laurent Mourot, Barbara Pellegrini

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 10/2018

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigated the effects of acute hypoxic exposure on post-exercise cardiac autonomic modulation following maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).

Methods

Thirteen healthy men performed CPET and recovery in normoxia (N) and normobaric hypoxia (H) (FiO₂ = 13.4%, ≈ 3500 m). Post-exercise cardiac autonomic modulation was assessed during recovery (300 s) through the analysis of fast-phase and slow-phase heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) indices.

Results

Both short-term, T30 (mean difference (MD) 60.0 s, 95% CI 18.2–101.8, p = 0.009, ES 1.01), and long-term, HRRt (MD 21.7 s, 95% CI 4.1–39.3, p = 0.020, ES 0.64), time constants of HRR were higher in H. Fast-phase (30 and 60 s) and slow-phase (300 s) HRR indices were reduced in H either when expressed in bpm or in percentage of HR_peak (p < 0.05). Chronotropic reserve recovery was lower in H than in N at 30 s (MD − 3.77%, 95% CI − 7.06 to − 0.49, p = 0.028, ES − 0.80) and at 60 s (MD − 7.23%, 95% CI − 11.45 to − 3.01, p = 0.003, ES − 0.81), but not at 300 s (p = 0.436). Concurrently, Ln-RMSSD was reduced in H at 60 and 90 s (p < 0.01) but not at other time points during recovery (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Affected fast-phase, slow-phase HRR and HRV indices suggested delayed parasympathetic reactivation and sympathetic withdrawal after maximal exercise in hypoxia. However, a similar cardiac autonomic recovery was re-established within 5 min after exercise cessation. These findings have several implications in cardiac autonomic recovery interpretation and in HR assessment in response to high-intensity hypoxic exercise.

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Title: Delayed parasympathetic reactivation and sympathetic withdrawal following maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in hypoxia
Authors: Alessandro Fornasiero
Aldo Savoldelli
Spyros Skafidas
Federico Stella
Lorenzo Bortolan
Gennaro Boccia
Andrea Zignoli
Federico Schena
Laurent Mourot
Barbara Pellegrini
Publication date: 01-10-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 10/2018
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3945-5

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Delayed parasympathetic reactivation and sympathetic withdrawal following maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in hypoxia

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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