Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Int J Sports Med. 2021 May;42(5):425-431. doi: 10.1055/a-1224-3842. Epub 2020 Oct 29.
The aim of the present investigation was to assess the effect of long-term recreational swimming training on the cardiac autonomic responses in the healthy population. 70 habitual recreational swimmers (48.6±14.3 yrs.) and 60 sedentary adults (51.5±10.4 yrs.) were recruited. Arterial blood pressure was recorded with participants in supine position for 10 min, and the last 5 min were used to assess heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, and hemodynamic analysis. The analysis of the questionnaire showed that the swimmers had practiced swimming for a mean of 14 years and 207 min/week. No difference was detected for body mass index between groups. Heart rate variability showed significant differences between groups both in the time and frequency domain analysis. We also found significant differences for baroreflex sensitivity. At rest, cardiac output and stroke volume were higher, whereas, heart rate, mean arterial pressure and total peripheral resistances were lower in the swimmers than in the sedentary subjects. Since heart rate variability measures are independent predictors of mortality, the present findings suggest that habitual recreational swimming may be protective against sudden cardiovascular events and, more in general, have a positive impact on cardiovascular health.
本研究旨在评估长期休闲游泳训练对健康人群心脏自主反应的影响。招募了 70 名习惯性休闲游泳者（48.6±14.3 岁）和 60 名久坐成年人（51.5±10.4 岁）。参与者取仰卧位记录 10 分钟的动脉血压，最后 5 分钟用于评估心率变异性、血压反射敏感性和血液动力学分析。问卷调查分析显示，游泳者的平均游泳年限为 14 年，每周游泳 207 分钟。两组间的体重指数无差异。心率变异性在时域和频域分析中均显示出组间的显著差异。我们还发现血压反射敏感性存在显著差异。在休息时，心输出量和每搏量较高，而心率、平均动脉压和总外周阻力较低。由于心率变异性指标是死亡率的独立预测因子，本研究结果表明，习惯性休闲游泳可能有助于预防突发性心血管事件，更广泛地说，对心血管健康有积极影响。
