Key result
Strength-endurance training linked to greater ventilatory economization vs general-endurance training in male cadets.
Why the study?
Physical training reshapes cardiovascular and autonomic regulation, but resting divergence between general- and strength-endurance loading is poorly characterized in cadets.
Does strength-endurance training compared to general-endurance training alter cardiorespiratory and autonomic trajectories in male cadets?
Observational (n=52)
Does strength-endurance training compared to general-endurance training alter cardiorespiratory and autonomic trajectories in male cadets?
p-value: p=0.008
Strength-endurance training in cadets induces distinct ventilatory economization compared to general-endurance training over 4 months, though absolute differences between groups were not significant.
Strength-endurance training may enhance ventilatory economization in cadets; leaves open whether it differentially alters resting autonomic or cardiac trajectories.
INTRODUCTION: Physical training reshapes cardiovascular and autonomic regulation, yet the resting divergence between general- and strength-endurance loading is poorly characterized in cadets. METHODS: In this observational study, male cadets administratively assigned to predominantly general- (n = 27) or strength-endurance (n = 25) training were examined before and after a 4-month programme. Resting electrocardiography, heart-rate, blood-pressure and respiratory variability, breathing pattern and baroreflex sensitivity were recorded by spiroarteriocardiorhythmography during spontaneous and paced (0.1, 0.25 Hz) breathing. Within-group change was tested with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and the group × time interaction with Mann-Whitney tests on change scores, under Benjamini-Hochberg false-discovery-rate control. RESULTS: Significant within-group change was confined to the strength-endurance group: lower heart rate (- 9.8%), longer RR (+ 10.8%) and QT (+ 4.8%), a higher systolic-pressure LF/HF ratio (+ 91%) and respiratory changes including minute ventilation and VO₂ (both - 23.8%; all q ≤ 0.043). The general-endurance group changed significantly only in QT and the Skibinski index. Groups did not differ in absolute values; however, the group × time interaction was significant only in the ventilatory domain and persisted after normalization to body mass (p = 0.008), whereas chronotropic, spectral-HRV and haemodynamic changes did not. Controlled-breathing reactivity declined in both groups; fitness improved across a military-applied battery, most in strength endurance. DISCUSSION: These exploratory findings suggest that the divergence between loadings is one of within-programme trajectory rather than absolute level, the only robust between-group signal being ventilatory economization. Spectral HRV did not change significantly, and the autonomic and cardiac findings should be regarded as hypothesis-generating.
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A 2026 study reported an observational. Strength-endurance training vs. General-endurance training was evaluated on Group × time interaction in the ventilatory domain after normalization to body mass (p=0.008). A 4-month strength-endurance training program in male cadets resulted in significant ventilatory economization compared to general-endurance training (group × time interaction p=0.008).
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