Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(11): 915-921
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1549854
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Autonomic Function Predicts Fitness Response to Short-Term High-Intensity Interval Training

A. M. Kiviniemi
1   Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
,
M. P. Tulppo
2   Department of Exercise and Medical Physiology, Verve Research, Oulu, Finland
3   Department of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK
,
J. J. Eskelinen
4   Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
,
A. M. Savolainen
4   Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
,
J. Kapanen
5   Paavo Nurmi Centre, Turku, Finland
,
I. H. A. Heinonen
4   Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
6   School of Sport Science, Exercise & Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley Perth, Australia
,
A. J. Hautala
2   Department of Exercise and Medical Physiology, Verve Research, Oulu, Finland
,
J. C. Hannukainen
4   Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
,
K. K. Kalliokoski
4   Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 31 March 2015

Publication Date:
03 July 2015 (online)

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that baseline cardiac autonomic function and its acute response to all-out interval exercise explains individual fitness responses to high-intensity interval training (HIT). Healthy middle-aged sedentary men performed HIT (n=12, 4–6×30 s of all-out cycling efforts with 4-min recovery) or aerobic training (AET, n=9, 40–60 min at 60% of peak workload in exercise test [Loadpeak]), comprising 6 sessions within 2 weeks. Low (LF) and high frequency (HF) power of R-R interval oscillation were analyzed from data recorded at supine and standing position (5+5 min) every morning during the intervention. A significant training effect (p< 0.001), without a training*group interaction, was observed in Loadpeak and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Pre-training supine LF/HF ratio, an estimate of sympathovagal balance, correlated with training outcome in Loadpeak (Spearman’s rho [rs]=−0.74, p=0.006) and VO2peak (rs=− 0.59, p=0.042) in the HIT but not the AET group. Also, the mean change in the standing LF/HF ratio in the morning after an acute HIT exercise during the 1st week of intervention correlated with training response in Loadpeak (rs=− 0.68, p=0.014) and VO2peak (rs=−0.60, p=0.039) with HIT but not with AET. In conclusion, pre-training cardiac sympathovagal balance and its initial alterations in response to acute HIT exercise were related to fitness responses to short-term HIT.

 
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