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Eight weeks of moderate-intensity exercise training increases heart rate variability in sedentary postmenopausal women.
Am Heart J. 2004 May; 147(5):e21.AH

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Regular exercise is associated with increased heart rate variability (HRV). However, results from studies examining the effect of exercise training on HRV in postmenopausal women are inconclusive. In addition, the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on HRV remains a subject of speculation.

METHODS

We examined 88 sedentary postmenopausal women in a randomized controlled trial who were assigned to exercise (n = 49) or control (n = 39) groups. The exercising women performed 8 weeks of aerobic exercise training at a heart rate equivalent to 50% of VO2max, consisting on average of 44 minutes per session, 3 to 4 times per week. Resting HRV was measured in each participant at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention. Ten minutes of resting R-R intervals were analyzed by time (standard deviation of mean R-R intervals, root of mean square successive differences) and frequency domain methods: low-frequency (LF) was defined as 0.04 to 0.15 Hz, high-frequency (HF) as 0.15 to 0.40 Hz, and total spectral power as 0.00 to 0.40 Hz. The LF and HF components in normalized units were also calculated.

RESULTS

At baseline, there were no significant differences in HRV between control and exercise groups. Additionally, there were no differences in any HRV variables when women were grouped by HRT use (no HRT, estrogen-only HRT, and progestin-containing HRT). After 8 weeks, women randomly assigned to the exercise group increased all absolute time and frequency domain indexes (all P <.001) and reduced resting heart rate (P =.002) compared with women in the control group. The LF and HF components expressed as normalized units remained unchanged after exercise intervention. Additionally, HRT use did not modify the exercise-induced changes in HRV.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that moderate aerobic exercise increases HRV in sedentary postmenopausal women. This benefit is not influenced by the use of HRT.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Jurca R
The Cooper Institute, Dallas, Tex 75230, USA. djurca@cooperinst.org
Church TS
No affiliation info available
Morss GM
No affiliation info available
Jordan AN
No affiliation info available
Earnest CP
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Analysis of VarianceBlood Pressure DeterminationEstrogen Replacement TherapyExerciseFemaleHeart RateHumansMiddle AgedOxygen ConsumptionPostmenopause

Pub Type(s)

Clinical Trial
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

15131556

Clinical Trial Links

Dose-Response to Exercise in Women Aged 45-75 Years (DREW)

Citation

Jurca, Radim, et al. "Eight Weeks of Moderate-intensity Exercise Training Increases Heart Rate Variability in Sedentary Postmenopausal Women." American Heart Journal, vol. 147, no. 5, 2004, pp. e21.
Jurca R, Church TS, Morss GM, et al. Eight weeks of moderate-intensity exercise training increases heart rate variability in sedentary postmenopausal women. Am Heart J. 2004;147(5):e21.
Jurca, R., Church, T. S., Morss, G. M., Jordan, A. N., & Earnest, C. P. (2004). Eight weeks of moderate-intensity exercise training increases heart rate variability in sedentary postmenopausal women. American Heart Journal, 147(5), e21.
Jurca R, et al. Eight Weeks of Moderate-intensity Exercise Training Increases Heart Rate Variability in Sedentary Postmenopausal Women. Am Heart J. 2004;147(5):e21. PubMed PMID: 15131556.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Eight weeks of moderate-intensity exercise training increases heart rate variability in sedentary postmenopausal women. AU - Jurca,Radim, AU - Church,Timothy S, AU - Morss,Gina M, AU - Jordan,Alexander N, AU - Earnest,Conrad P, PY - 2004/5/8/pubmed PY - 2004/7/23/medline PY - 2004/5/8/entrez SP - e21 EP - e21 JF - American heart journal JO - Am Heart J VL - 147 IS - 5 N2 - BACKGROUND: Regular exercise is associated with increased heart rate variability (HRV). However, results from studies examining the effect of exercise training on HRV in postmenopausal women are inconclusive. In addition, the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on HRV remains a subject of speculation. METHODS: We examined 88 sedentary postmenopausal women in a randomized controlled trial who were assigned to exercise (n = 49) or control (n = 39) groups. The exercising women performed 8 weeks of aerobic exercise training at a heart rate equivalent to 50% of VO2max, consisting on average of 44 minutes per session, 3 to 4 times per week. Resting HRV was measured in each participant at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention. Ten minutes of resting R-R intervals were analyzed by time (standard deviation of mean R-R intervals, root of mean square successive differences) and frequency domain methods: low-frequency (LF) was defined as 0.04 to 0.15 Hz, high-frequency (HF) as 0.15 to 0.40 Hz, and total spectral power as 0.00 to 0.40 Hz. The LF and HF components in normalized units were also calculated. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no significant differences in HRV between control and exercise groups. Additionally, there were no differences in any HRV variables when women were grouped by HRT use (no HRT, estrogen-only HRT, and progestin-containing HRT). After 8 weeks, women randomly assigned to the exercise group increased all absolute time and frequency domain indexes (all P <.001) and reduced resting heart rate (P =.002) compared with women in the control group. The LF and HF components expressed as normalized units remained unchanged after exercise intervention. Additionally, HRT use did not modify the exercise-induced changes in HRV. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that moderate aerobic exercise increases HRV in sedentary postmenopausal women. This benefit is not influenced by the use of HRT. SN - 1097-6744 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/15131556/Eight_weeks_of_moderate_intensity_exercise_training_increases_heart_rate_variability_in_sedentary_postmenopausal_women_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -