Effect of exercise intensity and repetition on heart rate variability during training in elite trotting horse.
Abstract: RR intervals of ten elite trotting horses were recorded during an interval training session performed on track. This study examined two hypotheses. Firstly, like in humans, the hyperpnea combined with a decrease in cardiac autonomic control on heart rate during heavy exercise could result in a prevalence of high frequency heart rate variability. Secondly, this prevalence could increase with the heavy exercise repetition. Two exercise intensities were compared: moderate (ME) and heavy (HE). Furthermore, heavy exercise repetitions were compared between the beginning and the end of the interval training session. When comparing ME and HE periods: heart rate was significantly lower (155 +/- 12 vs. 210 +/- 9 ms, p < 0.001), LF spectral energy (0.04 - 0.2 Hz) was significantly higher (ME: 6.94 +/- 4.80 and HE: 0.24 +/- 0.14 ms(2) . Hz (-1), p < 0.001) whereas HF (0.2 - 2 Hz) was significantly lower (ME: 7.09 +/- 2.24 and HE: 10.60 +/- 3.64 ms(2) . Hz (-1), p < 0.05). In relative terms, ME showed similar results in both LFn (LF/LF+HF) and HFn (HF/LF+HF) whereas HE showed a large prevalence of HFn energy compared to LFn (p < 0.001). The difference in LF/HF ratio between the two exercise conditions was significant (1.14 +/- 0.92 vs. 0.09 +/- 0.12, p < 0.001). Exercise repetition induced a significant increase in heart rate between the beginning and the end of the interval training session (207 +/- 10 beats . min (-1) vs. 212 +/- 9 beats . min (-1), p < 0.001) whereas LF energy decreases (1.54 +/- 1.65 vs. 0.32 +/- 0.24 ms(2) . Hz (-1), p < 0.01) and HF energy remained constant (10.79 +/- 4.10 vs. 10.40 +/- 3.35 ms(2) . Hz (-1), NS). This study confirmed the results observed in humans during heavy exercise conditions with a large prevalence of HF in contrast to LF, this prevalence increasing with exercise repetitions. The observed decrease in LF/HF ratio could provide an index of hyperpnea in horses during interval training.
Publication Date: 2005-12-02 PubMed ID: 16320171DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837462Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study explores the impact of exercise intensity and repetition on the heart rate variability in elite trotting horses. The research validates the notion that heavy exercise leads to a significant change in heart rate and its high frequency variability with an increase in the number of repetitions, similar to findings in human subjects.
Research Methodology
- The study examined heart rate fluctuations of ten elite trotting horses during an interval training session on a track.
- The research aimed to confirm two hypotheses. The first hypothesis suggested that heavy exercise would lead to hyperpnea (excessive breathing) along with a decrease in autonomic control of the heart rate, resulting in increased high frequency heart rate variability. The second hypothesis proposed that this prevalence might increase as the heavy exercise is repeated.
- Two exercise intensities were compared for this study: moderate (ME) and heavy (HE). Additionally, the effects of heavy exercise repetition were studied by comparing the results from the start and end of the interval training session.
Research Findings
- The study found that, when compared to moderate exercise, heavy exercise resulted in a significantly lower heart rate (155 +/- 12 vs. 210 +/- 9 ms).
- It was also observed that the LF spectral energy (a measure of heart rate variability) was significantly higher during moderate exercise as compared to heavy exercise. In contrast, the high frequency (HF) spectral energy was significantly lower during moderate exercise as compared to heavy exercise.
- When it came to relative terms, ME showed similar results in both low and high frequency normalized (LFn and HFn) whereas heavy exercise showed a larger prevalence of high frequency energy compared to low frequency energy.
- The difference in the ratio of low frequency to high frequency (LF/HF ratio) between the two exercise conditions was significant, favoring heavy exercise.
- It was also noted that exercise repetition led to a significant increase in heart rate between the beginning and the end of the interval training session whereas low frequency energy decreased and high frequency energy remained constant.
- Findings from this study paralleled observations made in humans during high intensity exercise with a substantial prevalence of high frequency in contrast to low frequency, and this prevalence increased with exercise repetitions.
Implications
- The research affirms the impact of exercise intensity and repetition on heart rate variability in horses, a phenomenon seen in humans as well.
- The observed decrease in the LF/HF ratio could potentially act as an indicator of hyperpnea in horses during interval training, providing valuable insights for trainers.
Cite This Article
APA
Cottin F, Médigue C, Lopes P, Petit E, Papelier Y, Billat VL.
(2005).
Effect of exercise intensity and repetition on heart rate variability during training in elite trotting horse.
Int J Sports Med, 26(10), 859-867.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-837462 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Exercise Physiology (LEPH), University of Evry, E.A. 3872, Genopole, Boulevard F. Mitterand, 91025 Evry cedex, France. francois.cottin@bp.univ-evry.fr
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Electrocardiography
- Fourier Analysis
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Felici M, Reddon AR, Maglieri V, Lanatà A, Baragli P. Heart and brain: Change in cardiac entropy is related to lateralised visual inspection in horses.. PLoS One 2023;18(8):e0289753.
- Scopa C, Greco A, Contalbrigo L, Fratini E, Lanatà A, Scilingo EP, Baragli P. Inside the Interaction: Contact With Familiar Humans Modulates Heart Rate Variability in Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:582759.
- Gehlen H, Faust MD, Grzeskowiak RM, Trachsel DS. Association Between Disease Severity, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Serum Cortisol Concentrations in Horses with Acute Abdominal Pain.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Sep 2;10(9).
- Frick L, Schwarzwald CC, Mitchell KJ. The use of heart rate variability analysis to detect arrhythmias in horses undergoing a standard treadmill exercise test.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jan;33(1):212-224.
- Lenoir A, Trachsel DS, Younes M, Barrey E, Robert C. Agreement between Electrocardiogram and Heart Rate Meter Is Low for the Measurement of Heart Rate Variability during Exercise in Young Endurance Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:170.
- Younes M, Robert C, Barrey E, Cottin F. Effects of Age, Exercise Duration, and Test Conditions on Heart Rate Variability in Young Endurance Horses.. Front Physiol 2016;7:155.
- Lima-Silva AE, Bertuzzi RC, Pires FO, Fronchetti L, Gevaerd MS, De-Oliveira FR. A low carbohydrate diet affects autonomic modulation during heavy but not moderate exercise.. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010 Apr;108(6):1133-40.
- Cottin F, Slawinski J, Lopes P, Van de Louw A, Billat V. Effect of a 24-h continuous walking race on cardiac autonomic control.. Eur J Appl Physiol 2007 Feb;99(3):245-50.
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