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Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(11): 991-996
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1337946
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Lactate and Heart Rate Variability Threshold during Resistance Exercise in the Young and Elderly

Authors

  • R. P. Simões

    1   Department of Physiotherapy, Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Nucleus of Research in Physical Exercise, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil

  • V. Castello-Simões

    1   Department of Physiotherapy, Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Nucleus of Research in Physical Exercise, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil

  • R. G. Mendes

    1   Department of Physiotherapy, Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Nucleus of Research in Physical Exercise, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil

  • B. Archiza

    1   Department of Physiotherapy, Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Nucleus of Research in Physical Exercise, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil

  • D. A. Santos

    1   Department of Physiotherapy, Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Nucleus of Research in Physical Exercise, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil

  • H. G. Machado

    1   Department of Physiotherapy, Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Nucleus of Research in Physical Exercise, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil

  • J. C. Bonjorno jr

    2   Bioengineering Post-graduation, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos, Brazil

  • C. R. Oliveira

    3   Medicine Department of Federal University of Sao Carlos, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil

  • M. S. Reis

    5   Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Latin American and Iberian Institute, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States

  • A. M. Catai

    1   Department of Physiotherapy, Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Nucleus of Research in Physical Exercise, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil

  • R. Arena

    5   Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Latin American and Iberian Institute, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States

  • A. Borghi-Silva

    1   Department of Physiotherapy, Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Nucleus of Research in Physical Exercise, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Brazil
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 13 February 2013

Publication Date:
19 April 2013 (online)

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Abstract

This purpose of this study was to: 1) determine the intensity corresponding to anaerobic threshold (AT) during a discontinuous resistance exercise protocol in healthy young and elderly subjects by analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) and blood lactate (BL) and 2) investigate the effect of aging on these variables. A total of 28 individuals, 14 young and 14 elderly healthy men underwent one-repetition maximum (1RM) testing to determine maximum load on the leg press. Discontinuous resistance exercise testing was initiated at 10% of the 1RM with subsequent increases of 10%. The load corresponding to AT was approximately 30% 1RM in both groups. The determination of AT by HRV was associated with BL responses (p<0.01). While HRV indexes decreased with increasing of loads in both groups, the elderly had lower values at loads below AT (p<0.05). Additionally, BL increased sharply after the load corresponding to AT in both groups, although elderly subjects showed the lowest values (p<0.05). In conclusion, HRV is an effective tool for determining AT, which was approximately 30% 1RM under the testing procedures included in the present study. Furthermore, there was a marked change in autonomic function, with gradual vagal withdrawal followed by sympathetic activation. These responses were lower in elderly subjects.

Key words

aging - exercise - autonomic cardiac control - blood lactate