Relationship between adiposity and heart rate recovery following an exercise stress test in obese older women

Abstract The aim of the present study was to compare differences in heart rate (HR) response during and following exercise in obese older women with different percent body fat levels. Ninety older, obese women aged 60-87 years participated in the study, were categorized, and enrolled to one of two groups based on a lower percent body fat (LPBF ≤ 41.10 %) or higher percent body fat (HPBF > 41.10 %) as measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The peak HR during exercise and in the first and second minutes of recovery period were compared between groups. The HPBF group presented a lower peak HR during exercise (p =.001) and an impaired HR recovery (p =.001) when compared to LPBF group. The present study demonstrated that older women who were in exceedingly obese level have an impaired heart rate response during exercise and in the recovery period, indicating possible autonomic dysfunction.

摘要 本研究旨在对比不同体脂百分比水平的肥胖老年女性在运动过程中及运动后的心率（heart rate, HR）反应差异。本研究共招募90名年龄60~87岁的肥胖老年女性，采用双能X线吸收法（dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry）测量体脂百分比，并据此将受试者分为两组：低脂体脂组（lower percent body fat, LPBF ≤ 41.10%）与高脂体脂组（higher percent body fat, HPBF > 41.10%）。研究对比了两组受试者的运动峰值心率以及恢复阶段第1、2分钟的心率反应。结果显示，与低脂体脂组相比，高脂体脂组的运动峰值心率更低（p=0.001），且心率恢复能力受损（p=0.001）。本研究表明，体脂水平极高的老年女性在运动过程中及恢复阶段的心率反应均存在受损情况，提示其可能存在自主神经功能障碍。