Key result
MICT is linked to a decreased RMSSD recovery slope compared to HIIT in healthy adults.
Why the study?
Whether long-term training with different exercise modalities systematically influences post-exercise autonomic nervous system recovery remains unclear.
Does long-term training with different exercise modalities (MICT, HIIT, RT) differentially influence post-exercise autonomic nervous system recovery in healthy adults?
Cohort (n=43)
Does long-term training with different exercise modalities (MICT, HIIT, RT) differentially influence post-exercise autonomic nervous system recovery in healthy adults?
Effect estimate: Δb 0.184
Absolute Event Rate: -0.165% vs 0.019%
p-value: p=0.030
Long-term moderate-intensity continuous training promotes economical autonomic adaptation, while high-intensity interval training maintains rapid recovery capacity in healthy adults.
Purpose Post-exercise recovery is a critical window for physiological adaptation, with the autonomic nervous system (ANS) playing a key regulatory role. However, whether long-term training with different modalities systematically influences post-exercise ANS recovery remains unclear. This study investigated the long-term effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and resistance training (RT) on post-exercise ANS recovery assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy adults. Methods Three independent cohorts completed 12 weeks of MICT, HIIT, or RT (3 sessions per week). 5-minute continuous HRV data were collected immediately after each session. Recovery slopes of the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and low-frequency/high-frequency power (LF/HF) ratio were calculated. Linear mixed-effects models analyzed trends in recovery slopes across training weeks, with pre-exercise resting HRV and prior-night insomnia score as covariates. Results A total of 43 participants (MICT: n = 13; HIIT: n = 16; RT: n = 14) completed the intervention, yielding 1393 training observations. RMSSD recovery slope decreased significantly in MICT ( b =-0.165, P = 0.003), but not in HIIT ( b = 0.019, P = 0.680) or RT ( b =-0.037, P = 0.452). Between-group comparisons showed a significant difference between HIIT and MICT (Δ b = 0.184, P = 0.030). Pre-exercise resting RMSSD ( β = 0.022, P < 0.001) and prior-night insomnia score ( β = 0.052, P = 0.021) significantly influenced RMSSD recovery slope. No observable trend was detected in LF/HF ratio recovery slopes. Conclusion Long-term training with different exercise modalities differentially affects post-exercise ANS recovery. MICT potentially promotes economical autonomic adaptation; HIIT maintains rapid recovery capacity; RT exerts weaker effects. Pre-exercise resting RMSSD and sleep quality may serve as practical markers for daily training monitoring.
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Wang et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Healthy adults (n=43). Moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and resistance training (RT) vs. Between-group comparisons was evaluated on Recovery slopes of the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) (Δb 0.184, p=0.030). In healthy adults, 12 weeks of moderate-intensity continuous training significantly decreased the RMSSD recovery slope compared to high-intensity interval training (Δb = 0.184, P = 0.030).
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