An Intensity-dependent Slow Component of HR Interferes with Accurate Exercise Implementation in Postmenopausal Women

Heart rate (HR) targets are commonly used to administer exercise intensity in sport and clinical practice. However, as exercise protracts, a time-dependent dissociation between HR and metabolism can lead to a misprescription of the intensity ingredient of the exercise dose. PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that a slow component of HR (i.e., scHR) occurs in all intensity domains, greater than the slow component of oxygen uptake (scV˙O(2)), and we developed an equation to predict it across exercise intensities. METHOD: Eighteen healthy, postmenopausal women (54 ± 4 yr) performed on a cycle ergometer: i) a ramp incremental test for thresholds and V˙O(2max) detection; ii) 30-min constant work exercise at 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% V˙O(2max) for the measurement of scHR, scV˙O(2), stroke volume, and body temperature (T°). scHR and scV˙O(2) were compared by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (intensity and variable). Pearson correlation was calculated between the slow component of all variables, relative intensity, and domain. scHR (in beats per minute) was predicted with a linear model based on exercise intensity relative to the respiratory compensation point (RCP). RESULTS: A positive scHR was present in all domains, twice the size of scV̇O(2) (P < 0.001), and significantly correlated with the slow components of V̇O(2) (r(2) = 0.46), T° (r(2) = 0.52), and relative intensity (r(2) = 0.66). A linear equation accurately predicts scHR based on %RCP (r(2) = 0.66, SEE = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: A mismatch exists between the slow components of HR and metabolic intensity. Whenever exercise is prescribed based on HR, target values should be adjusted over time to grant that the desired metabolic stimulus is maintained throughout the exercise session.