ORIGINAL PAPER
Cardiac autonomic recovery following reduced exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) in physically inactive adults
1
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Submission date: 2024-05-31
Acceptance date: 2024-09-05
Online publication date: 2025-07-24
Corresponding author
Preeyaphorn Songsorn
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University 99 Moo 18 Paholyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University 99 Moo 18 Paholyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Post-exercise heart rate variability (HRV) recovery is associated with cardiac parasympathetic reactivation, reflecting cardiovascular homeostasis restoration. This study aimed to compare cardiac autonomic recovery following reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in sedentary individuals.
Methods:
Sixteen physically inactive male volunteers [aged 21 ± 0.89 years; body mass index = 20.09 ± 1.09 kg/m2; maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) = 30.90 ± 4.76 ml/kg/min] were included in a randomised crossover study. Blood pressure, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and HRV were measured before, immediately after, and at 20 min, 40 min, 60 min, and 24 h after REHIT and MICT.
Results:
Both exercise protocols resulted in a significant decrease in log-transformed (Ln) RMSSD and LnSDNN immediately post-exercise (p < 0.05). Following REHIT, LnSDNN and LnRMSSD returned to baseline within 24 h. low-frequency activity (LnLF) and high-frequency activity (LnHF) decreased significantly immediately, 20 min and 40 min after REHIT (p < 0.05). After MICT, LnSDNN and LnRMSSD returned to baseline within 20 and 40 min, respectively. Moreover, LnLF and LnHF returned to baseline within 60 and 20 min, respectively, following MICT.
Conclusions:
These findings indicate that REHIT prolongs HRV recovery. However, HRV returned to baseline within 24 h, providing valuable insights for exercise prescription utilising the REHIT protocol.
Post-exercise heart rate variability (HRV) recovery is associated with cardiac parasympathetic reactivation, reflecting cardiovascular homeostasis restoration. This study aimed to compare cardiac autonomic recovery following reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in sedentary individuals.
Methods:
Sixteen physically inactive male volunteers [aged 21 ± 0.89 years; body mass index = 20.09 ± 1.09 kg/m2; maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) = 30.90 ± 4.76 ml/kg/min] were included in a randomised crossover study. Blood pressure, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and HRV were measured before, immediately after, and at 20 min, 40 min, 60 min, and 24 h after REHIT and MICT.
Results:
Both exercise protocols resulted in a significant decrease in log-transformed (Ln) RMSSD and LnSDNN immediately post-exercise (p < 0.05). Following REHIT, LnSDNN and LnRMSSD returned to baseline within 24 h. low-frequency activity (LnLF) and high-frequency activity (LnHF) decreased significantly immediately, 20 min and 40 min after REHIT (p < 0.05). After MICT, LnSDNN and LnRMSSD returned to baseline within 20 and 40 min, respectively. Moreover, LnLF and LnHF returned to baseline within 60 and 20 min, respectively, following MICT.
Conclusions:
These findings indicate that REHIT prolongs HRV recovery. However, HRV returned to baseline within 24 h, providing valuable insights for exercise prescription utilising the REHIT protocol.
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