Response of the sympathetic-parasympathetic balance of the Heart Rate Variability during a week of aerobic training in road cyclists

Abstract

Objective To describe the response of the sympathetic-parasympathetic balance after a week of aerobic training volume in road cyclists. Methods The study was based on a non experimental transectional design. A non-random sample of five cyclists men. All participates in category “All competitors” of the national circuit (27.0 ± 1.9 years, 170.0 ± 6.6 cm, 66.0 ± 4.3 kg). Subjects were evaluated for six days with aerobic training (108.4 ± 49.5 km per day). Each day the autonomic balance through the ratio LF/HF was measured, at rest and immediately after training. Results Mean values of RR (1205.9 ± 35.2 to 993.7 ± 61.2 at baseline and post-training respectively) interval show significant difference (p < 0.05). The values of the ratio Low Frequency/High Frequency (0.861 ± 0.090 to 3.067 ± 0.59 at baseline and post-training respectively) show that there is an activation of the autonomic balance immediately completed the training (p < 0.05). The High Frequency power of autonomic balance (2567 ± 697 to 926 ± 367 at baseline and post-training respectively), shows a significant decline straight after training and start recovery (p < 0.05). Conclusions The results of this study show a significant increase in the response of the autonomic balance of the ratio Low Frequency/High Frequency after training. Furthermore, a significant decrease in power of the High Frequency band during recovery may involve and increased activity of the parasympathetic response. These changes can help to the control and design of individual training programs for road cycling as well as being an inexpensive and non-invasive tool.