Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Coaching Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Bursa Uludağ University, 16059 Bursa, Türkiye
  • 2 Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Bursa Uludağ University, 16059 Bursa, Türkiye
  • 3 Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
  • 4 Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Kirikkale University, 71450 Kirikkale, Türkiye
J Clin Med, 2024 Apr 16;13(8).
PMID: 38673569 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082296

Abstract

Background: The modulation of cardiac sympathovagal balance alters following acute resistance training (RT) sessions. Nevertheless, the precise influence of RT at varying load intensities on this physiological response remains to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the time course of recovery following low- (40%), moderate- (60%), and high- (80%) load-intensity RT protocols performed up to muscle repetition failure in resistance-trained men. Method: Sixteen young, resistance-trained men (mean age: 21.6 ± 2.5 years, mean height: 175.7 ± 8.9 cm, mean weight: 77.1 ± 11.3 kg) participated in a randomized crossover experimental design involving three sessions, each taken to the point of muscle failure. These sessions were characterized by different load intensities: low (40% of 1-repetition maximum, 1RM), moderate (60% of 1RM), and high (80% of 1RM). The exercise regimen comprised four exercises-back squat (BS), bench press (BnP), barbell row (BR), and shoulder press (SP)-with each exercise consisting of three sets. Throughout each session, heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure (BP) parameters were assessed both pre-exercise and during a 40 min post-exercise period, segmented into 10 min intervals for stabilization. Statistical analysis involved the use of a repeated measures ANOVA. Results: It was observed that the 40% and 60% RT sessions resulted in a significantly higher root mean square of successive R-R intervals (RMSSD) value compared to the 80% RT session in the post-exercise recovery process in 30 min (respectively, p = 0.025; p = 0.028) and 40 min (respectively, p = 0.031; p = 0.046), while the 40% and 60% RT sessions produced similar responses. The 40% RT session was significantly higher in the high frequency (HF) value post-exercise in 40 min compared to the 80% RT session (p = 0.045). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that engaging in resistance training (RT) sessions to muscle failure at an intensity of 80% induces acute increases in sympathetic activity, potentially leading to elevated cardiovascular stress. For individuals with normal blood pressure, it is advisable to opt for lighter loads and higher repetition volumes when prescribing RT, as heavier-load RT may carry an increased risk of cardiac-related factors.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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