Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Publish Ahead of Print DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002279

D

Cardiac Autonomic and Blood Pressure Responses to an Acute Bout of Kettlebell Exercise

Alexei Wong1 –– Michael Nordvall1––Michelle Walters-Edwards1 –– Kevin Lastova1––

1

C EP

TE

Gwendolyn Francavillo1 –– Liane Summerfield1–– Marcos Sanchez- Gonzalez2

Department of Health and Human Performance, Marymount University, 2807 North Glebe

Road, Arlington, Virginia 22207, USA 2

Division of Clinical & Translational Research Larkin Community Hospital, 7000 SW 62nd Ave,

C

South Miami, FL 33143

A

Corresponding Author: Alexei Wong, PhD, Department of Health and Human Performance, Marymount University, 2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia 22207. Telephone: 703-522-5600; E-mail: [email protected]

Running title: Autonomic and Blood Pressure responses to Kettlebell exercise

Copyright ª 2017 National Strength and Conditioning Association

1

Abstract: Kettlebell (KB) training has become an extremely popular exercise program for improving both muscle strength and aerobic fitness. However, the cardiac autonomic modulation and blood pressure (BP) responses induced by an acute KB exercise session are currently unknown. Understanding the impact of this exercise modality on the post-exercise autonomic modulation and BP would facilitate appropriate exercise prescription in susceptible populations. The present study evaluated the effects of an acute session of KB exercise on heart rate variability (HRV) and BP responses in healthy individuals. Seventeen (M=10, F=7) healthy subjects completed either a KB or non-exercise control trial in randomized order. HRV and BP measurements were collected at baseline, 3, 10 and 30 min after each trial. There were significant increases (P < 0.01) in heart rate, markers of sympathetic activity (nLF) and sympathovagal balance (nLF/nHF) for 30 min after the trial KB trial, while no changes from baseline were observed after the control trial. There were also significant decreases (P < 0.01) in markers of vagal tone (RMMSD, nHF) for 30 min as well as (P < 0.01) systolic BP and diastolic BP at 10 and 30 min after the trial KB trial while no changes from baseline were observed after the control trial. Our findings indicate that KB exercise increases sympathovagal balance for 30 min post-intervention which is concurrent with an important hypotensive effect. Further research is warranted to evaluate the potential clinical application of KB training in populations that might benefit from post-exercise hypotension, such as hypertensives.

21

Keywords: heart rate variability; high intensity interval training; post-exercise hypotension

22

C EP

TE

D

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

INTRODUCTION

24

Hypertension (HTN), characterized by increased blood pressure (BP), is a major risk factor for

25

cardiovascular disease (CVD) and end-organ damage (8). Autonomic dysfunction is recognized

26

as a primary pathophysiological mechanisms of HTN since it is related to both the development

27

and the complications of this condition (28). Heart rate variability (HRV) is acknowledged as a

28

A

C

23

29

parasympathetic (sympathovagal) balance (39). HRV is used in many research applications,

30

including the study of autonomic control during physical activity (16) and after (recovery phase)

31

acute exercise (16). The HRV and BP responses post-exercise appear to be related to the

32

intensity of the performed exercise, particularly in the first minutes of recovery (16,32).

measure of cardiac autonomic regulation, especially as a surrogate of the sympathetic–

Copyright ª 2017 National Strength and Conditioning Association

Moreover, a prolonged sympathetic predominance and concominant slow parasympathetic

34

reactivation contribute to a delayed BP recovery following exercise, which is thought to be

35

associated with increased risk of acute cardiac events (27,30). Therefore, understanding the

36

impact of various exercise modalities on autonomic regulation and BP would provide further

37

insight into the post-exercise relationship between these variables and may help in the

38

development of strategies to decrease exercise-related cardiovascular risk.

The kettlebell (KB), a cannonball shaped iron hand weight with a handle, dates back to

TE

39

D

33

the early 18th century in Russia where it gained popularity as an exercise implement (42). In the

41

last few years, resurgence in KB use has been due primarily to programs like CrossFit and Pavel

42

Tsatsouline’s workshops, where it is utilized as a training modality for improving both muscle

43

strength and aerobic fitness, thereby providing an alternative to established methods of exercise

44

(13). Owing to the design of the KB, its high-speed, ballistic and eccentric nature make it an

45

excellent form of exercise for loading of the hip extensor and posterior chain muscles (13,42).

46

The two hand-KB swing, a primary movement in KB training, is performed rhythmically

47

incorporating an explosive hip extension during the concentric phase, followed by dynamic hip

48

flexion during the eccentric phase of the swing (13,42). KB swings are usually used as a form of

49

high-intensity interval training, utilizing alternating bouts of exercise followed by short rest

50

periods (13). Despite the popularity of this form of exercise, research regarding the acute

52

A

C

C EP

40

53

hormone), which remain elevated for at least 15 min post-exercise (5). Additionally, Farrar et al.

54

(14) observed that KB swings caused a greater increase in oxygen consumption (VO2max) and HR

55

compared to traditional power or resistance exercise. While an increased VO2max and HR

51

cardiovascular responses to a KB swing routine is limited. It has been previously demonstrated that an acute session of KB swings causes elevations in heart rate (HR) and cortisol (a stress

Copyright ª 2017 National Strength and Conditioning Association

56

resulting from KB training are less than those induced by aerobic exercise (22), KB swings

57

present a metabolic challenge that may elicit unique cardiac autonomic and BP responses.

58

Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a KB exercise session on

59

post-exercise cardiac autonomic function and BP responses.

D

60

METHODS

62

Experimental Approach to the Problem

63

Anthropometrics, health history and a familiarization session with the study tests, procedures and

64

the correct technique for the 2 hand-KB swing exercise were learned during an initial

65

familiarization visit. Using a crossover design, subjects were tested in the postprandial (≥4

66

hours) condition on two separate additional visits separated by at least 48 hours. Measurements

67

were performed during afternoon hours in a quiet, temperature-controlled room (23 ± 1 °C) and

68

at the same time of the day (± 2 h) to minimize potential diurnal variations in cardiac and

69

vascular reactivity. Subjects abstained from caffeine and alcohol consumption for at least 12

70

hours and avoided intense exercise 48 hours prior to testing. After HRV and BP instrumentation,

71

subjects rested in the supine position for at least 10 min before a 5 min baseline period.

72

Thereafter, subjects completed either the KB or the no-exercise control (CON) trial in a

73

randomized order. Immediately after the trials, subjects resumed the supine position for 30 min

75

C EP

C

A

74

TE

61

of recovery. Post-trial measurements of BP and HRV were collected between 3–6 min (Post-3), 10-13 min (Post- 10) and 30–33 min (Post-30).

76 77 78

Copyright ª 2017 National Strength and Conditioning Association

79

Subjects

81

A total of 17 (M=10, F=7) healthy (age=23 ± 1 years, height=1.71 ± 0.02m and weight=74.1 ±

82

4.9 kg) subjects between the ages of 18 and 27 years were recruited. Subjects were nonsmokers,

83

normotensive, free of cardiovascular and metabolic/endocrine diseases as evaluated by health

84

history, without musculoskeletal concerns that would limit exercise participation and were not

85

taking medication or nutritional supplements at the time of the study. All subjects reported being

86

active through individualized cardiovascular, strength and flexibility exercise programs

87

performed 2–4 times per week for at least 1 year prior to the study. However, subjects had

88

minimal experience with KB exercise. Female subjects were tested in the early follicular phase

89

of the menstrual cycle to avoid possible influence of endogenous estrogens on autonomic

90

function. All subjects were aware of the experimental procedures as approved by the institutional

91

review board and gave written consent before data collection.

C EP

TE

D

80

92

Procedures

94

Trials

95

During the KB trial, subjects completed 12 consecutive rounds of the 2 hand- kettlebell swing

96

exercise. The Russian style of the exercise was used, which is performed rhythmically

98

A

C

93

99

exercise (Figure 1). Each round consisted of 30 seconds of exercise followed by 30 seconds of

97

incorporating an explosive hip extension and swing ascension to eye-level during the concentric phase, followed by dynamic hip flexion and swing descension during the eccentric phase of the

100

rest. Males used a 16-kg KB, and females used an 8-kg KB (21). The KB swings were performed

101

at a rate of 1-s eccentric/1-s concentric phases (15 swings per round) and were controlled with

Copyright ª 2017 National Strength and Conditioning Association

the use of a metronome. Continuous feedback was given by an investigator in order to maintain

103

the correct form and the rhythmic timing of the swing. The 16 and 8-kg KB were used in this

104

study since it is the recommended weight for beginning males and females, respectively (21,42)

105

and appear to be standardized in previous KB research (5,21,22,26). The rationale for the

106

number and duration of rounds as well as the rest periods were based on literature focusing on

107

the acute responses and longitudinal adaptations to KB exercise. Such research reported acute

108

increases in HR (80-90% of predicted HRmax) (5,22), oxygen consumption (22) and hormones

109

involved in muscular adaptations (5) along with chronic improvements in maximal strength and

110

power (26) utilizing similar protocols. During CON trial, subjects remained in the supine

111

position for the same 12 min time duration as the KB trial.

112

C EP

TE

D

102

Heart rate variability

114

Baseline and post-trial R-R interval measurements were performed in the supine position. R-R

115

intervals were collected for 5 min at baseline and 3 min for Post-3, Post-10 and Post-30 using a

116

validated wireless monitor (Polar 800CX; Polar Electro OY, Kempele,Finland) via a chest strap

117

interfaced to a computer. HRV variables calculated from R-R interval series of 3 minutes have

118

been found to match well with those calculated from the typical 5-minutes R-R interval (2),

119

making 3 minute HRV analysis a surrogate method to assess HRV (2). All R–R intervals were

121

A

C

113

122

we calculated the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), which reflects

123

parasympathetic modulation(39). The autoregressive model was used to estimate the power

124

spectrum in the total power (TP, 0.00 - 0.40 Hz) and its main components: low-frequency (LF,

120

inspected for artifacts and premature beats. HRV was quantified from 5-min (baseline) and 3min (Post-3, Post-10 and Post-30) segments free of artifacts. As a time domain index of HRV,

Copyright ª 2017 National Strength and Conditioning Association

0.04 - 0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (HF, 0.15 - 0.40 Hz). TP of HRV is an estimation of the

126

global activity of the autonomic nervous system. The HF power is a marker of cardiac

127

parasympathetic activity (31,39) .The LF component of HRV in absolute units is mediated by

128

both sympathetic and parasympathetic activities(39). The HF and LF were normalized (nHF and

129

nLF) and expressed as a percentage of the TP, considered as HF+LF (39). The nHF and nLF are

130

defined as HF or LF / (LF + HF), expressing the spectral power as the relative (%) contribution

131

of the sympathetic (nLF) and parasympathetic (nHF) activities on the sinoatrial node.

132

Normalizing is appealing since it expresses the quantities on a more easily understood

133

percentage (0%–100%) scale. Additionally, normalizing considerably diminishes within and

134

across-subject variability in the total raw HRV spectral power (6). The ratio of nLF to nHF

135

(nLF/nHF) has been suggested as a mean to quantify the relationship between sympathetic and

136

parasympathetic nerve activities (sympathovagal balance) (31). Increased sympathovagal

137

balance is considered a reflection of sympathetic predominance (31).We followed the standards

138

for the measurement and interpretation of the HRV (39).

C EP

TE

D

125

139

Blood Pressure

141

Baseline and post-trial brachial BP was measured using an automatic oscillometric device

142

(HEM-705CP; Omron Healthcare, Vernon Hill, IL, USA). Two measurements at 1-min intervals

143

A

C

140

144

laboratory, the intraclass correlation coefficient for resting BP collected on two separate days is

145

0.95.

were collected and averaged at each time point (baseline, Post-3, Post-10 and Post-30). In our

146 147

Copyright ª 2017 National Strength and Conditioning Association

148

Anthropometrics

149

Height was measured using a stadiometer and recorded to the nearest 0.5cm, and body mass was

150

measured using a seca scale (Sunbeam Products Inc., Boca Raton, FL, USA), recorded to the

151

nearest 0.1 kg.

D

152

Statistical analysis

154

Data were examined for normality with the Shapiro–Wilk test. Differences in mean values for

155

each variable between conditions were compared by a 2x4 ANOVA with repeated measures

156

(trial [CON vs KB] by time [baseline, Post-3, Post-10 and Post-30]), followed by Bonferroni

157

alpha correction. Univariate associations were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation coefficients.

158

Data are shown as means ± SE. Statistical significance was defined a priori as P < 0.05.

159

Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM SPSS Analytics, Armonk,

160

NY). A power calculation done a priori determined that a population of 12 subjects would allow

161

the observation of a difference of 3%–5% between the groups (CON vs KB) with a power of

162

80% on the primary study outcome variables of LF/HF, SBP and DBP.

C EP

TE

153

C

163

RESULTS

165

BP, HR and autonomic function parameters at baseline and after 30 min of KB and control trials

167

A

164

168

nLF/nHF and RMSSD. There were significant increases (P

Cardiac Autonomic and Blood Pressure Responses to an Acute Bout of Kettlebell Exercise.

Kettlebell (KB) training has become an extremely popular exercise program for improving both muscle strength and aerobic fitness. However, the cardiac...
1MB Sizes 1 Downloads 17 Views