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Int J Sports Med 2021; 42(07): 602-609
DOI: 10.1055/a-1297-4475
Physiology & Biochemistry

Activation of Mechanoreflex, but not Central Command, Delays Heart Rate Recovery after Exercise in Healthy Men

Tiago Peçanha 
1   Exercise Hemodynamic Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
,
Leandro Campos de Brito
1   Exercise Hemodynamic Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
2   School of Physical Education and Sport, Sao Paulo, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
,
Rafael Yokoyama Fecchio
1   Exercise Hemodynamic Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
,
Patricia Nascimento de Sousa
1   Exercise Hemodynamic Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
,
Natan Daniel Silva
1   Exercise Hemodynamic Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
,
Patricia Guimaraes Couto
2   School of Physical Education and Sport, Sao Paulo, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
,
Andrea Pio de Abreu
3   Hipertension Unit, General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
,
Giovanio Vieira da Silva
3   Hipertension Unit, General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
,
Decio Mion
3   Hipertension Unit, General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
,
David A. Low
4   Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Claudia Lucia de Moraes Forjaz
1   Exercise Hemodynamic Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
› Author Affiliations Funding: This study was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP – 2013/04997-0 and 2013/05519-4), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq – 304436/2018-6) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES-PROEX - 0001).
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Abstract

This study tested the hypotheses that activation of central command and muscle mechanoreflex during post-exercise recovery delays fast-phase heart rate recovery with little influence on the slow phase. Twenty-five healthy men underwent three submaximal cycling bouts, each followed by a different 5-min recovery protocol: active (cycling generated by the own subject), passive (cycling generated by external force) and inactive (no-cycling). Heart rate recovery was assessed by the heart rate decay from peak exercise to 30 s and 60 s of recovery (HRR30s, HRR60s fast phase) and from 60 s-to-300 s of recovery (HRR60−300s slow phase). The effect of central command was examined by comparing active and passive recoveries (with and without central command activation) and the effect of mechanoreflex was assessed by comparing passive and inactive recoveries (with and without mechanoreflex activation). Heart rate recovery was similar between active and passive recoveries, regardless of the phase. Heart rate recovery was slower in the passive than inactive recovery in the fast phase (HRR60s=20±8vs.27 ±10 bpm, p<0.01), but not in the slow phase (HRR60−300s=13±8vs.10±8 bpm, p=0.11). In conclusion, activation of mechanoreflex, but not central command, during recovery delays fast-phase heart rate recovery. These results elucidate important neural mechanisms behind heart rate recovery regulation.

Key words

exercise pressor reflex - baroreflex sensitivity - cardiovascular control - parasympathetic nervous system - heart rate variability


Publication History

Received: 01 June 2020

Accepted: 14 October 2020

Article published online:
22 December 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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