Analysis of Autonomic Modulation in Response to a Session of Aerobic Exercise at Different Intensities in Patients With Moderate and Severe COPD.

Despite the many benefits of performing physical exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), information on the response of acute cardiac autonomic modulation in subjects with moderate and severe COPD during and after an aerobic exercise session at different intensities is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with moderate and severe COPD during and after an aerobic exercise session at different intensities. Twenty-seven patients with COPD, divided into: Moderate Group and Severe Group, underwent an aerobic exercise sessions with intensities equivalent to 60% and 90% of velocity corresponding to peak oxygen consumption. The heart rate variability (HRV) indices were analyzed in the time and frequency domains at the following times: at rest, during exercise, immediately after, and 5, 10, and 15 minutes after exercise. In the comparison analysis between the two groups, no differences were observed in any of the HRV indices at different intensities applied. However, it was observed that the exercise caused autonomic changes when the groups were analyzed separately. Sessions of aerobic exercise influence the autonomic modulation in patients with COPD. However, COPD severity did not influence the autonomic nervous system response to exercise and recovery moments; and there was no difference between the exercise intensities.

Effects of 12 weeks of aerobic training on autonomic modulation, mucociliary clearance, and aerobic parameters in patients with COPD.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit aerobic function, autonomic nervous system, and mucociliary clearance alterations. These parameters can be attenuated by aerobic training, which can be applied with continuous or interval efforts. However, the possible effects of aerobic training, using progressively both continuous and interval sessions (ie, linear periodization), require further investigation. AIM: To analyze the effects of 12-week aerobic training using continuous and interval sessions on autonomic modulation, mucociliary clearance, and aerobic function in patients with COPD. METHODS: Sixteen patients with COPD were divided into an aerobic (continuous and interval) training group (AT) (n=10) and a control group (CG) (n=6). An incremental test (initial speed of 2.0 km·h(-1), constant slope of 3%, and increments of 0.5 km·h(-1) every 2 minutes) was performed. The training group underwent training for 4 weeks at 60% of the peak velocity reached in the incremental test (vVO2peak) (50 minutes of continuous effort), followed by 4 weeks of sessions at 75% of vVO2peak (30 minutes of continuous effort), and 4 weeks of interval training (5×3-minute effort at vVO2peak, separated by 1 minute of passive recovery). Intensities were adjusted through an incremental test performed at the end of each period. RESULTS: The AT presented an increase in the high frequency index (ms(2)) (P=0.04), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) (P=0.01), vVO2peak (P=0.04), and anaerobic threshold (P=0.02). No significant changes were observed in the CG (P>0.21) group. Neither of the groups presented changes in mucociliary clearance after 12 weeks (AT: P=0.94 and CG: P=0.69). CONCLUSION: Twelve weeks of aerobic training (continuous and interval sessions) positively influenced the autonomic modulation and aerobic parameters in patients with COPD. However, mucociliary clearance was not affected by aerobic training.

Analysis of autonomic modulation after an acute session of resistance exercise at different intensities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

PURPOSE: Physical exercises are employed as part of the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however information regarding cardiac autonomic modulation after an acute session of resistance exercise (RE) is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiac autonomic modulation, via heart rate variability after an acute session of RE applied at different intensities in COPD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve COPD patients underwent an acute session of RE with an intensity of 60% and another of 90% of the one repetition maximum test. For analysis of autonomic modulation, heart rate was recorded beat-by-beat for 20 minutes at rest and after the training session. Heart rate variability indexes were obtained in the time and frequency domains for the assessment of autonomic modulation. RESULTS: Regardless of exercise intensity, RE acute sessions influenced the autonomic modulation when the recovery period was compared with the baseline. An increase in standard deviation of normal to normal RR intervals was observed throughout recovery time after the RE, as compared to baseline in both protocols: 60% and 90% of the one repetition maximum test. The spectral component of low frequency index (ms) was higher throughout recovery when compared to baseline in both protocols. The same was also observed in the spectral component of high frequency index (ms) for the protocols of 60% and 90%. CONCLUSION: RE sessions impact on the autonomic modulation of COPD patients by promoting differences in the recovery period compared to baseline, regardless of the intensity of the exercise performed.