Effects of a Short-Term Resistance-Training Program on Heart Rate Variability in Children With Cystic Fibrosis-A Randomized Controlled Trial

Agustín Jesús Estévez-González; Márcio Vinícius Fagundes Donadio; Fernando Cobo-Vicente; Álvaro Fernández-Luna; Verónica Sanz-Santiago; José Ramón Villa Asensi; Tamara Iturriaga Ramirez; Maria Fernández-Del-Valle; Ignacio Diez-Vega; Eneko Larumbe-Zabala; Margarita Pérez-Ruiz

doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.652029

Effects of a Short-Term Resistance-Training Program on Heart Rate Variability in Children With Cystic Fibrosis-A Randomized Controlled Trial

Front Physiol. 2021 Mar 30:12:652029. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.652029. eCollection 2021.

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
² Laboratory of Pediatric Physical Activity, Centro Infant, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
³ Pulmonology Unit, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
⁴ Department of Applied Health, Southern Illinois University (SIUE), Edwardsville, IL, United States.

Abstract

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and exercise in healthy children modulates the interaction between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a short-term resistance exercise program on heart rate variability (HRV) in children and adolescents with CF. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out in children diagnosed with CF aged 6-18 years. Individuals were divided into two groups: control (CON) and resistance-training (EX). Individuals in the EX group completed an individualized guided resistance program (5-RM-60-80%) for 8 weeks (3 sessions of 60 min/week). Upper and lower limbs exercises (seated bench press, seated lateral row, and leg press) were used. HRV was measured using a Suunto watch with subjects in lying position. Results: Nineteen subjects (13 boys) were included (CON = 11; and EX = 8). Mean age was 12.2 ± 3.3, FEV₁ (forced expiratory volume in the first second) z-score was 1.72 ± 1.54 and peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak) 42.7 ± 7.4 mL.Kg^-1.min^-1. Exercise induced significant changes in the frequency-domain variables, including a decrease in LF power (p = 0.001, d = 0.98) and LF/HF ratio (p = 0.020, d = 0.92), and an increase in HF power (p = 0.001, d = -0.97), compared to the CON group. No significant changes were found for time-domain variables, although increases with a moderate effect size were seen for SDNN (p = 0.152, d = -0.41) and RMSSD (p = 0.059, d = -0.49) compared to the CON group. Conclusion: A short-term resistance exercise-training program was able to modulate HRV in children and adolescents with CF presenting mild to moderate lung function impairment and good physical condition. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04293926.

Keywords: autonomic function; cystic fibrosis; exercise; heart rate variability; pediatrics; resistance.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04293926