Key result
Physical training significantly increased cardiac parasympathetic activity (RMSSD) in obese children, an effect that reversed upon cessation of training (time by group interaction P=0.026).
Why the study?
Does physical training improve cardiac parasympathetic activity in obese children?
RCT (n=79)
Randomly assigned
Does physical training improve cardiac parasympathetic activity in obese children?
Regular physical training improves cardiac parasympathetic activity in obese children, but these benefits reverse upon cessation of training.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Exercise may transiently boost parasympathetic tone in obese children; leaves open durability and outcome impact.
OBJECTIVE: Heart rate variability provides non-invasive information about cardiac parasympathetic activity (PSA). We determined in obese children: (1) relations of baseline PSA to body composition and hemodynamics; (2) effects of physical training (PT) and cessation of PT; and (3) which factors explained individual differences in responsivity of PSA to the PT. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) was the index of PSA. Obese children (n = 79) were randomly assigned to groups that participated in PT during the first or second 4-month periods of the study. RESULTS: Baseline RMSSD was significantly (p<0.05) associated with lower levels of: fat mass, fat-free mass, subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, resting heart rate (HR), resting systolic blood pressure, and exercise HR. Stepwise multiple regression produced a final model (R2 = 0.36) that included only resting HR. The analysis of changes over the three time points of the study found a significant (p = 0.026) time by group interaction, such that RMSSD increased during periods of PT and decreased following cessation of PT. Greater individual increases in response to the PT (p<0.05) were seen in those who had lower pre-PT RMSSD levels, showed the greatest decreases in resting HR, and increased most in vigorous physical activity. The final regression model retained only the change in resting HR as a significant predictor of the changes in the RMSSD (R2 = 0.23). DISCUSSION: Regular exercise that improved fitness and body composition had a favorable effect on PSA in obese children.
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Gutin et al. (2000) conducted an RCT in Obesity (n=79). Physical training vs. No physical training / cessation of training was evaluated on Root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) as an index of cardiac parasympathetic activity (p=0.026). Physical training significantly increased cardiac parasympathetic activity (RMSSD) in obese children, an effect that reversed upon cessation of training (time by group interaction P=0.026).
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