The effects of combining aerobic training with resistance training on the heart rate and exercise capacity of persons with obstructive sleep apnea / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effect of individualized aerobic training combined with resistance training on heart rate recovery and exercise capacity among patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and explore possible mechanisms.Methods:Forty middle-aged patients with moderate to severe OSAS were randomly assigned to an observation group (OG, n=20) or a control group (CG, n=20). Both groups were given routine health guidance and motor training, while the OG additionally underwent individualized aerobic exercise training at 60%~75% of their peak power and resistance training loaded at 60%~80% of their ten-times maximum repetition figure. The training was three times a week for 3 months. Both groups underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and polysomnography before and after the 12-week intervention. The changes in their sleep apnea hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and lowest oxygen saturation (L-SAO 2) were collected. Exercise capacity indicators such as peak oxygen uptake (VO 2peak), peak power, anaerobic threshold and sitting heart rate recovery (HRR) 1, 2 and 3 minutes after the test were recorded (denoted as HRR-1, HRR-2 and HRR-3). Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the measurements before the intervention. Afterward the average AHI, ODI and L-SAO 2 values of the observation group had all improved significantly compared with those before the training and compared with the control group′s values after the training. After the training, the VO 2peak and peak power of the observation group had also improved significantly compared with before the training and compared with the control group. HRR-1, HRR-2 and HRR-3 were all significantly higher in the observation group than before the training and higher than the control group′s values after the training. Conclusion:Combining aerobic and resistance training can improve the exercise ability and heart rate of middle-aged patients with moderate to severe OSAS, and also reduce the severity of their OSAS to some extent.