A short duration of physical training benefits cardiovascular performance.

ABSTRACT

The present study explored the possibility of short duration of supervised physical training on cardiovascular performance and attempted to look into the changes in the autonomic tone as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV), if any. The study was conducted on 25 healthy adult male subjects (mean age 32.08+/-8.32 years) who underwent 15 days of moderate physical training on bicycle ergometer. Heart rate and blood pressure response to exercise and during recovery was monitored as well as autonomic activity (tone) was assessed by heart rate variability in resting condition and all the parameters were compared before and after physical training of 15 days. Heart rate response to graded exercise on bicycle ergometer showed a significant decrease at 2nd minute, 3rd minute, 5th minute and 6th minute during exercise after physical training, and systolic blood pressure response also showed a significant decrease at 4th minute, 5th minute and 6th minute during exercise after physical training. Physical training resulted in quick recovery during the 1st minute after cessation of exercise (percentage drop 21.03+/-7.93 vs. 23.50+/-6.97, P<0.05). Although there was no significant change in the HRV parameters, there was a trend reflecting an increase in parasympathetic tone and a decrease in sympathetic tone after physical training. We conclude from the present study that even a short duration of physical training results in favorable cardiovascular performance and it may be ascribed to autonomic modulation.