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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

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
› Author Affiliations
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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