Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(7): 564-570
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964861
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Training and Detraining on Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Young Men

F. X. Gamelin1 , S. Berthoin1 , H. Sayah2 , C. Libersa2 , L. Bosquet3
  • 1Laboratoire d'Etudes de la Motricité Humaine, Faculté des Sciences du Sport et de l'Education Physique, , Université de Lille 2, Ronchin, France
  • 2Centre d'Investigations Cliniques, Hôpital Cardiologique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille 2, Lille, France
  • 3Department of Kinésiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision April 25, 2006

Publication Date:
20 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of twelve weeks of aerobic training and eight weeks of training cessation on Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Ten healthy young men (Age: 21.7 ± 2.2 years; Height: 179.2 ± 6.9 cm; Mass 72.7 ± 11.1 kg) completed an incremental test and a 60° tilt test during which R‐R intervals were recorded before (T0) and after (T12) 12 weeks of intensive training, and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of training cessation (D2, D4 and D8, respectively). HRV was computed in time and frequency domains. Training resulted in a significant increase in estimated V·O2max after T12 (p < 0.01), followed by a significant decrease during D2 and D8 (p < 0.05). Total power (LF + HF) and low frequency power (LF) increased significantly in the supine position after the training period (p < 0.05) and decreased moderately after D2 (p > 0.05) to stabilize afterwards. LF + HF and LF were not different from T0 at D8 (p > 0.05). It was concluded that eight weeks of training cessation allow to reverse the cardiovascular autonomic adaptations induced by 12 weeks of intensive training in healthy young men.