Open AccessRecovery time and heart rate variability following extreme endurance exercise in healthy women
Author(s) -
Gifford Robert M.,
Boos Christopher J.,
Reynolds Rebecca M.,
Woods David R.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
physiological reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2051-817X
DOI - 10.14814/phy2.13905
Subject(s) - medicine , heart rate variability , heart rate , autonomic function , cardiology , autonomic nervous system , physical therapy , blood pressure
The relationship between autonomic function and recovery following prolonged arduous exercise in women has not been examined. We undertook an exploratory study that aimed to examine the temporal change in linear and nonlinear measures of heart rate variability ( HRV ) following prolonged arduous exercise in the form of first all‐female (mean age 32.7 ± 3.1 years) team to attempt an unassisted Antarctic traverse. HRV analysis was performed before and 1, 4, and 15 days postexpedition. The traverse was completed in 61 days. There was a significant paired reduction in heart rate, Ln LF , LF : HF , DFA α 1 between baseline and 15 days postexercise in the same environment. Conversely, RMSSD , Ln HF and HF nu, SD 1: SD 2, and SampEn significantly increased. DFA α 2 levels significantly fell from baseline to Day 1 postexercise. In conclusion, we observed a significant latent increase in relative parasympathetic dominance and RR interval irregularity at 15 days post prolonged arduous exercise, versus pre‐exercise baseline, in a group of very fit and healthy adult women.