Effects of aerobic or resistance exercise training on cardiovascular autonomic function of subjects with type 2 diabetes: A pilot study

• Published in: Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases, 2018-03, Vol.28 (3), p.226-233
• Main Authors: Bellavere, F., Cacciatori, V., Bacchi, E., Gemma, M.L., Raimondo, D., Negri, C., Thomaseth, K., Muggeo, M., Bonora, E., Moghetti, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerobic training; Autonomic Nervous System - physiopathology; Baroreceptors function; Baroreflex; Blood Pressure; Cardiovascular System - innervation; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diagnosis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - physiopathology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - therapy; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Italy; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability; Recovery of Function; Resistance Training; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Type 2 diabetes
• ISSN: 0939-4753; 1590-3729
• DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2017.12.008

Both aerobic (AER) and resistance (RES) training improve metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, information on the effects of these training modalities on cardiovascular autonomic control is limited. Our aim was to compare the effects of AER and RES training on cardiovascular autonomic function in these subjects. Cardiovascular autonomic control was assessed by Power Spectral Analysis (PSA) of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and baroreceptors function indexes in 30 subjects with T2DM, randomly assigned to aerobic or resistance training for 4 months. In particular, PSA of HRV measured the Low Frequency (LF) and High Frequency (HF) bands of RR variations, expression of prevalent sympathetic and parasympathetic drive, respectively. Furthermore, we measured the correlation occurring between systolic blood pressure and heart rate during a standardized Valsalva maneuver using two indexes, b2 and b4, considered an expression of baroreceptor sensitivity and peripheral vasoactive adaptations during predominant sympathetic and parasympathetic drive, respectively. After training, the LF/HF ratio, which summarizes the sympatho-vagal balance in HRV control, was similarly decreased in the AER and RES groups. After AER, b2 and b4 significantly improved. After RES, changes of b2 were of borderline significance, whereas changes of b4 did not reach statistical significance. However, comparison of changes in baroreceptor sensitivity indexes between groups did not show statistically significant differences. Both aerobic and resistance training improve several indices of the autonomic control of the cardiovascular system in patients with T2DM. Although these improvements seem to occur to a similar extent in both training modalities, some differences cannot be ruled out. NCT01182948, clinicaltrials.gov. •Both aerobic and resistance exercise have a favorable impact on cardiovascular autonomic control in type 2 diabetes.•Baroreceptor function indexes suggest possible greater benefits with aerobic than resistance training in these subjects.•Exercise training may have specific interest in diabetes care, as there is no therapy for diabetic autonomic dysfunction.