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QT interval (QT) variability analysis provides pathophysiological and prognostic information utilized in cardiac and non-cardiac diseases, complementary to those obtained from the analysis of heart period (HP) variability. An increased QT variability has been associated to a higher risk for cardiac events and poorest prognosis. Autonomic cardiovascular adaptation to internal and external challenges, such those occurring in athletes exposed to high levels of physical stress and in ageing could also be deepen by analyzing QT variability, searching for early prognostic signatures. The aim of the study was to analyze the QT variability and cardiac control complexity in a group of middle-aged half-marathon runners at baseline (B) and at a 10-year follow-up (FU). We found that the overall QT variability decreased at FU, despite the inescapable increase in age (52.3 ± 8.0 years at FU). This change was accompanied by an increase of the HP variability complexity without changes of the QT variability complexity. Of notice, over the years, the group of athletes maintained their regular physical activity by switching to a moderate intensity rather than strenuous. In conclusion, regular and moderate exercise over the years was beneficial for this group of athletes, as reflected by the decreased overall QT variability that is known to be associated to lower cardiovascular risk. The concomitant enhanced cardiac control complexity also suggests a trend opposite to what usually occurs with ageing, resulting in a more flexible cardiac control, typical of younger people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Spectral analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a simple, non-invasive technique that is widely used in sport to assess sympatho-vagal regulation of the heart. Its employment is increasing partly due to the rising usage of wearable devices. However data acquisition using these devices may be suboptimal because they cannot discriminate between sinus and non-sinus beats and do not record any data regarding respiratory frequency. This information is mandatory for a correct clinical interpretation. Methods This study involved 974 elite athletes, all of them underwent a complete autonomic assessment, by way of Autoregressive HRV analysis. Results In 91 subjects (9% of the total population) we observed criticalities of either cardiac rhythm or respiration. Through perusal of one-lead ECG analysis we observed that 77 subjects had atrial or ventricular ectopy, i.e. conditions which impair stationarity and sinus rhythm. Running anyway autonomic nervous system analysis in this population, we observed that RR variance and raw values of LF and HF regions are significantly higher in arrhythmic subjects. In addition 14 subjects had slow (about 6 breath/min, 0.1 Hz) respiration. This condition clouds the separation between LF from HF spectral regions of RR interval variability, respectively markers of the prevalent sympathetic and vagal modulation of SA node and of their synergistic interaction. Conclusions Caution must be payed when assessing HRV with non-ECG wearable devices. Recording ECG signal and ensuring that respiratory rate is higher than 10 breath/min are both prerequisites for a more reliable analysis of HRV particularly in athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In athletes, spectral analysis of HR variability (HRV) has been shown capable to detect the adaptational changes in sympatho‐vagal control attending physical training. So far, studies investigated autonomic nervous system (ANS) changes occurring with endurance training, whereas adaptations to markedly different exercise modes, for example, strength training, have never been investigated. We assessed the changes in cardiac ANS parameters during long‐term training in weight lifters of the Italian team preparing for the European Championship, where athletes competed for obtaining the pass for Olympic Games. We investigated nine athletes. Subject trained 3 sessions/day, 6 days a week. The intensity of strength exercises varied from 70% to 95% 1 RM. Training load (TL) was calculated as: volume (min) × intensity (%1RM).All ANS parameters were significantly and highly correlated on an individual basis to the dose of exercise with a second‐order regression model (r2 ranged from 0.96 to 0.99; P < 0.001). The low‐frequency (LF) component of HRV and LF/HF ratio showed an initial increase with the progression of TL and then a decrease, resembling a bell‐shaped curve with a minimum at the highest TL. The high‐frequency (HF) component of HRV and R‐R interval showed a reciprocal pattern, with an initial decrease with progression of TL followed by an increase, resembling an U‐shaped curve with a maximum at the highest TL. These adaptations were at the opposite to those previously reported in endurance athletes. These results suggest that in Olympic weight lifters, ANS adaptations to training are dose‐related on individual basis and that ANS adaptations are mainly sport‐specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]