IJBEM, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2003

Dynamics of Recovery Process on ECG After Bicycle Ergometry for Different Aged Women and Men

Alfonsas Vainoras, Liudas Gargasas, Ruta Jurkoniene, Vidmantas Jurkonis,
Alge Vitartaite, Aiste Silanskiene

Institute of Cardiology,Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania

Correspondence: A Vainoras, Institute of Cardiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Sukileliu av. 17-106, Kaunas, 3007 Lithuania.
E-mail: alfavain@kmu.lt, phone +37037302881, fax +37037302872

Abstract. The aim of this study was investigation of ECG parameters during recovery and its dynamics after long-lasting training. The half periods of the seven ECG parameters have been evaluated in 313 persons (206 women and 107 men). According to gender and age the persons were divided into six groups. Results of investigation showed significant differences in recovery for different parameters acording to gender and obtained data could help in evaluation of person functional state.

Keywords: Functional Diagnostics; Stress Test ECG; Recovery Process; Half Periods of ECG Parameters

1. Introduction

There are a lot of investigations directed to the exploration of ECG changes during different type of load. Those changes usually are determined by the used of the load protocol, which define the relation between load and changes of parameters. Such relation between changes in human organism parameters and load goes on till the maximal developed power. After the load end recovery for every person has its own dynamic. What features have this dynamic till now is not clear.

Main task of our work was investigation of ECG parameters changes during recovery and what dynamic they have after long-lasting training, when health has improved.

2. Material and Methods

We investigated 313 persons before and after 1.5 year fitness activities. All 313 persons (206 women and 107 men) were divided into six groups according to age and gender: W1 - women (63 persons) of 20-30 year old, W2 - women (98 persons) of 30-40 year old, W3 - women (45 persons) of 40-50 year old. All men were divided into the same age groups: M1 - men (30 persons) of 20-30 year old, M2 - men (52 persons) of 30-40 year old and consequently M3 - men (25 persons) of 40-50 year old.

On the basis of proposed human organism reaction to load model [A.Vainoras, 1996], which is used for diagnostic purposes [A.Vainoras et al., 1999], parameters involved in model description were investigated during recovery after bicycle ergometry twice. The first investigation was made before and the second - after 1.5 year of fitness activities. There the half periods of parameters were investigated. The half period is the time interval during which the parameter returns after load to the half value of the load provoked change.

In this study we try to compare changes of half periods of recovery for parameters: sum of ST depression in 12 leads – T(ST), heart rate – T(HR), double product T(DP), systolic arterial blood pressure T(S), interval JT-T(JT), ratio JT/RR – T(JT/RR) and relative blood pressure amplitude

(S-D)/S – T(SD/S).

The second investigation of the same persons after 1.5 year was made in aim to evaluate the trend of changes when common health of persons increased.

Bicycle ergometry was performed using modified Brooce protocol, duration of one step was reduced to one minute (provocative type of protocol).

3. Results

Obtained results for all women and all men are shown in Fig. 1. There were significant prolongations of half periods for T(JT) and T(SD/S) in comparison to others.

Figure 1. Half periods of recovery for different parameters in men (a)groups and women (b)groups.

Other investigated parameters have shown trend to synchronize their recovery in men as well as in women groups. The exceptions were received for T(S) (blood pressure half period in woman) - it was prolonged significantly as compared to men groups. It could be related with influence of estrogens. In Fig. 1 we can see prolongation of half periods after long-lasting fitness activities. Data for HR changes, the prolongation of T(HR) in details are presented in table 1.

Table 2. Half periods and their changes for T(HR).

Inv.

83.67

±3.3

77.81

±3.82

75.76

±4.37

81.97

±5.34

100.2

±7.8

78.62

±6.81

91.65

±4.25

83.0

±2.95

77.0

±4.06

93.27

±4.84

96.25

±6.14

94.27

±7.19

Dif.

7.98*

±4.88

5.19*

±3.61

1.24

±5.08

11.3**

±6.59

-3.94

±7.78

15.65***

±7.3

* p 0.9; ** p 0.95; ***p 0.975

Such parameters behavior rise up hypothesis, that after training persons could develop higher power, and higher efforts could lead to longer recovery processes. To check this hypothesis we investigated correlation of maximal HR and maximal load with T(HR). Results show weak correlations between T(HR) and HR at maximal load as well as with developed maximal power and have deny this hypothesis.

The observed changes could be related to the special physiologic features of human organism during recovery and reveal synchronization or desynchronization effects. Studied parameters could give additional information in diagnostics of human functional state.

4. Conclusions

1) The half periods of different parameters have significant differences during recovery, the longest were T(SD/S) and T(JT).

2) Long lasting physical training prolongs half periods during recovery.

3) The half periods of systolic blood pressure (T(S)) are significantly longer in women groups in comparison with men groups.

4) Evaluated parameters could help in human functional state diagnostics.

References

Vainoras A. Investigation of heart repolarisation process at rest and during physical load. Kaunas Medical University Press, Kaunas,1996.

Vainoras A, Gargasas L, Jarusevicius G, Silanskiene A, Miskinis V, Ruseckas R, Schwela H, Bauer UJ. Bicycle ergometry and posibilities for complex evaluation. Lithuanian Journal of Cardiology, 6(4): 760-763, 1999.