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Published on: February 20, 2017
Exercise-induced plasma volume expansion and post-exercise parasympathetic reactivation
M Buchheit1, P B Laursen, H Al Haddad
1Faculty of Sport Sciences, Research Laboratory, EA 3300 Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation, University of Picardie, Jules Verne, Amiens, France. martin.buchheit@u-picardie.fr
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|November 15, 2008
Summary
Exercise increases plasma volume, enhancing parasympathetic reactivation. Heart rate variability indices, not heart rate recovery, reflect these changes, indicating greater sensitivity to plasma volume shifts.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Function
- Cardiovascular Regulation
Background:
- Parasympathetic reactivation is crucial for post-exercise recovery.
- Plasma volume expansion is a known adaptation to exercise.
- The relationship between plasma volume changes and parasympathetic function needs further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of exercise-induced plasma volume expansion on post-exercise parasympathetic reactivation.
- To compare the sensitivity of heart rate recovery and heart rate variability indices to plasma volume changes.
Main Methods:
- 11 healthy men underwent submaximal running before and after a supramaximal exercise session.
- Plasma volume changes were assessed using hematocrit and hemoglobin.
- Heart rate recovery and heart rate variability indices were measured during recovery.
Main Results:
- Plasma volume significantly increased 2 days after exercise (+4.8%).
- Vagal-related heart rate variability indices were significantly higher post-exercise.
- Heart rate recovery did not differ, but heart rate variability changes correlated with plasma volume.
Conclusions:
- Exercise-induced plasma volume expansion enhances parasympathetic reactivation.
- Heart rate variability indices are more sensitive to plasma volume changes than heart rate recovery.
- HRV and HRR reflect distinct aspects of cardiac parasympathetic function.
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