Postexercise Heart Rate Recovery in Adults Born Preterm

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neonatology
• Physiology

Background:

• Preterm birth is associated with long-term health consequences.
• Cardiovascular health in adulthood may be affected by the timing of birth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between preterm birth and postexercise heart rate recovery (HRR).
• To evaluate if preterm birth impacts the autonomic nervous system's ability to regulate heart rate after exercise.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 545 adults (aged 19.9-26.3 years) who were categorized by birth status: early preterm (<34 weeks), late preterm (34-36 weeks), and full term (control).
• Heart rate recovery (HRR) was measured 30 and 60 seconds after a submaximal step test, along with the maximum HR slope during the first minute post-exercise.

Main Results:

• Adults born early preterm had a 3.2 bpm lower HRR at 30 seconds and 2.5 bpm lower at 60 seconds compared to full-term controls.
• Adults born late preterm also exhibited reduced HRR, with a 2.1 bpm lower recovery at 30 seconds and 2.8 bpm lower at 60 seconds.
• The maximum heart rate slope post-exercise was also lower in both early and late preterm groups.

Conclusions:

• Preterm birth, including late preterm birth, is linked to diminished postexercise heart rate recovery.
• This finding suggests potential alterations in parasympathetic nervous system reactivation in adults born preterm.
• Reduced HRR may be a contributing factor to the increased cardiovascular risk observed in this population.