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Cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic responses to inversion and inversion with sit-ups
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Inversion exercise with sit-ups significantly impacts cardiorespiratory responses, increasing blood pressure and oxygen uptake. The study suggests potential overestimation of inversion
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Cardiorespiratory System
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Inversion therapy involves body positioning against gravity.
- Its effects on the cardiorespiratory system, especially with concurrent exercise, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the cardiorespiratory effects of 15 minutes of full (-90 degrees) inversion.
- To assess the impact of incorporating sit-ups during inversion.
Main Methods:
- Eighteen men participated in a 15-minute inversion protocol.
- Cardiorespiratory variables were measured during different phases: pre-inversion standing, inversion, inversion with sit-ups, and post-inversion standing.
- Measurements included blood pressure, heart rate, ventilation, oxygen uptake, and METs.
Main Results:
- Inversion alone significantly increased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, ventilation, oxygen uptake, and METs, while decreasing heart rate.
- Adding sit-ups during inversion further elevated blood pressure, double product, ventilation, oxygen uptake, and METs.
- Following exercise, cardiorespiratory measures returned to baseline, though some remained elevated compared to pre-inversion levels.
Conclusions:
- Muscular exercise during inversion significantly influences cardiorespiratory responses.
- Observed increases in blood pressure during inversion are not concerning.
- The potential adverse effects of full inversion appear to be overestimated.