Heart Rate Variability Following Eight Week Progressive Physical Training in Nonathlete Young Males

Introduction: Heart signal changes during two consecutive beats are called Heart Rate Variability which is considered as a reliable indicator of the heart’s health. The relationship between Heart rate variability and physical training has not been clearly identified to date. This research examined the effect of physical training on heart rate variability in nonathlete young males.

Methods: Twenty four nonathlete young males with a mean age of 21.25± 1.43 were selected and randomly divided into a physical training group (n = 12) and a control group (n = 12). The experimental group completed physical training sessions for eight weeks – three sessions each weak - with an intensity of up to 60% of the heart rate reserve. However, the control group did not participate in any intervention. The heart rate variability of the subjects before and after the training protocol was measured. Then, the covariance analysis and paired t-test were utilized to analyze the data.

Results: The results indicated that after physical training, sympathetic activity decreased and heart rate variability significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) while there was not a significant difference in control group. (P ≥ 0.05)

Conclusion: It seems that physical training can cause heart rate variability decrease in nonathlete young males.