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Evidence of increased cardiac parasympathetic drive in subjects meeting current physical activity recommendations

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Abstract

Introduction

Aerobic fitness seems to provide extra protection to the cardiovascular system beyond changing the traditional risk factors, a phenomenon referred to as the risk factor gap model. Aerobic fitness may possibly lead to improved autonomic regulation. The Task Force of the American Heart Association supports a national campaign to reach specific cardiovascular health goals considering various metrics, including recommended physical activity (PA) volumes. It may be clinically relevant to assess whether autonomic remodeling occurs in those who adhere to the PA recommendations.

Methods

We studied 39 healthy subjects (22 males and 17 females), subdivided into two groups, according to whether they were meeting or not meeting PA recommendations (150 min/week of moderate aerobic activity, or 75 min/week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both). For each group, we evaluated aerobic capacity (VO2 Peak), body composition (Fat Mass) and autonomic nervous system profile, by way of mono and bivariate spectral analysis of cardiovascular beat by beat variability.

Results

Subjects following PA recommendations show higher RR period, higher RR variance, greater absolute power of the respiratory component of RR variability (HFRR) and higher index alpha (a measure of spontaneous baroreflex). Moreover, as expected, the group that was meeting or exceeding current PA recommendations had higher VO2 peak, less fat mass and greater weekly energy expenditure.

Conclusion

Data show that subjects meeting current PA recommendations present a phenotype suggestive of enhanced parasympathetic drive to the SA node. This finding is compatible with the hypothesis that a more favorable autonomic profile is part of the mechanisms of the risk factor gap.

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Correspondence to Daniela Lucini.

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Compliance with the ethical standards

The protocol of this observational study followed the principles of Declaration of Helsinki and Title 45, US Code of Federal Regulations, Part 46, Protection of Human Subjects, Revised November 13, 2001, effective December 13, 2001 and was approved by local Institutional Ethics Committee (n. 651/09/70/AP). All participants gave their written informed consent.

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Sala, R., Malacarne, M., Pagani, M. et al. Evidence of increased cardiac parasympathetic drive in subjects meeting current physical activity recommendations. Clin Auton Res 25, 285–291 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-015-0300-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-015-0300-3

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