Automic Cardiac Control in Athletes and Non- Athletes at Rest

The effect of different types of physical training on heart rate variability was evaluated in 10 aerobic trained athletes, in 7 anaerobic trained athletes, in 7 rugby players (mixed type training) and in 10 sedentary control subjects. All groups were age matched (18-26 y). Measures of heart rate variability were obtained, from both timeand frequency analysis of 10 minutes resting heart rate, ECG tracings were recorded digitally in supine position and in standing position. After these tests, blood pressure was measured using an automatic inflation cuff. Resting heart rate was lower in aerobic and mixed type athletes compared to controls. Only aerobic athletes had evidence of increased vagal activity in the time domain compared with control subjects (increased SDNN supine, increased rMSSD supine and standing and pNN50 standing). In the frequency domain aerobic athletes presented with both higher LF and HF power in standing position and LF power in supine position compared to controls. It can be concluded that heart rate variability is affected by chronic exercise, especially in endurance athletes. This infers that especially aerobic exercising can have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular risk profile.