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Autonomic Rebound Following Maximal Exercise in Bodybuilders and Recreationally Active Participants
Brian Kliszczewicz1, Gabe Wilner1, Andre Canino1
1Exercise Science and Sport Management, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA.
Sports (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2024
Summary
Off-season natural bodybuilders show impaired autonomic nervous system recovery after exercise. Their heart rate variability (HRV) markers remained depressed longer than in recreationally active individuals, indicating slower recovery.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Function
- Sports Science
Background:
- The off-season for natural bodybuilders involves intense training and varied nutrition, potentially hindering recovery.
- The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is crucial for physiological recovery processes.
- Understanding ANS activity in bodybuilders is key to optimizing their training and health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess resting autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in off-season natural bodybuilders.
- To evaluate recovery following a maximal exercise bout in this population.
- To compare ANS recovery between bodybuilders and recreationally active individuals.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen males (7 recreationally active, 8 bodybuilders) underwent a graded exercise test.
- Resting heart rate variability (HRV) was measured before and during a 45-minute recovery period.
- HRV parameters analyzed included lnRMSSD, lnSDNN, lnHF, lnLF, and lnLF/lnHF ratio.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in resting HRV, heart rate (HR), or HR recovery were found between groups.
- Bodybuilders exhibited a significant depression in all HRV markers at 15 minutes post-exercise.
- Bodybuilders showed no significant recovery in HRV markers by the 45-minute mark compared to the recreationally active group.
Conclusions:
- Off-season natural bodybuilders experience significantly depressed heart rate variability recovery after maximal exercise.
- This suggests a potential impairment in autonomic nervous system recovery in this athletic population.
- Further research is needed to explore training and nutritional strategies to enhance recovery in bodybuilders.
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