Resumen de Systematic review on the effects of training programs in autonomic cardiac function in obese people
Elena Martínez Rosales, Alba Hernández Martínez, Manuel Alcaraz Ibáñez, Enrique G. Artero
Introduction: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive and sensitive marker often employedto evaluate cardiac autonomic function. Current evidence suggests that reduced HRV may be linkedwith the development of several cardiovascular risk factors, included obesity. Exercise-based interventionshave been proposed as an effective strategy for improving HRV. The aim of this study was tosynthesize the results of randomized controlled trials (RCT) examining the effects of exercise trainingon HRV in obese individuals.Methods: A systematic literature search was undertaken. PubMed and Web of Science databases weresearched up to March 2018 for relevant RCT peer-reviewed articles published in English.Results: A total of four RCT reporting results for 474 participants (89% females) were identified andincluded in the review. Improvements in HRV were found: (a) after 3 weekly sessions of moderateintensity aerobic exercise (40 min. between 50-70% of peak heart rate) performed over a 12 week-periodin adult women after gastric bypass surgery; (b) after 6 months of continuous aerobic traininginvolving a weekly energy expenditure of 8 or 12 kcal/kg in postmenopausal women; (c) after 4 weeklysessions of different exercise modalities carried out at moderate intensity (40 min. between 60-70%of maximal heart rate) performed over a 3-month-period in adolescents of both sexes; and (d) after3 weekly sessions (60 min each) of adapted soccer (i.e. played at reduced spaces) performed over a12-week period in adolescents of both sexes.Conclusions: These findings suggest that exercise-based interventions with an aerobic componentmay improve HRV in obese individuals, namely in the case of women (both postmenopausal and aftergastric bypass surgery) and adolescents of both sexes. Further investigation is required to determine:(i) the effectiveness of exercise training on HRV in male population and (ii) precise dose-responserelationships between exercise characteristics and HRV improvements.
