Effects of Recumbent Bicycle Exercise on Cardiac Autonomic Responses and Hemodynamics Variables in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and efficiency of recumbent bicycle ergometer exercise by observing heart rate variability (HRV) and hemodynamic variables in patients with atrial fibrillation.METHODS: In a balanced crossover study, 13 patients with atrial fibrillation (mean age, 62.2±5.3 years) were asked to perform a bicycle exercise twice, once in the upright position and once in the recumbent position at an angle of 30°, with a 1-week interval between both. The exercise intensity was set initially at 10 W and increased by 15 W every 2 minutes up to 70 W. HRV and hemodynamic variables were measured. All data were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance.RESULTS: Low-frequency normalization in HRV was increased with no intergroup differences immediately after exercise. The rate pressure product was significantly lower in the recumbent than in the upright position right after exercise (104.8±14.3 vs. 151.8±51.4 mmHg×beats/min×10⁻², P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONS: Recumbent exercise improves the safety and efficiency of cardiac rehabilitation for atrial fibrillation patients by reducing myocardial workload without compromising the activation of the autonomic nervous system that regulates cardiac activity.