Effect of "touch rugby" training on the cardiovascular autonomic control in sedentary subjects

C. Filliau, M. Younes, A. L. Blanchard, J. Piscione, A. Van De Louw, C. Seguret, J. Israel, F. Cottin

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13 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effects of touch-rugby training on the cardiovascular autonomic control in sedentary subjects. 22 adults (30-64 years old) were included in this study. Before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the period of training, cardio-respiratory recordings were achieved at rest and during a graded maximal exercise on a treadmill. The Smoothed-Pseudo-Wigner-Ville Distribution provided instantaneous time frequency components of RR intervals and systolic blood pressure variability in low- and high-frequency bands. The baroreflex sensitivity was assessed in low-frequency and high-frequency bands. Between pre-test and post-test, resting heart rate (74±10 vs. 69±12 beats.min-1, p<0.05) and systolic blood pressure (118±19 vs. 103±22-mm Hg, p<0.01) decreased. Root mean square of successive differences (34.6±30.1 vs. 47.6±34.8-ms, p<0.001), high-frequency RR variability (590±288 vs. 1262±767-ms, p<0.001) increased whereas low-frequency/high-frequency ratio decreased (3.5±3.4 vs. 1.5±0.9, p<0.05). The high-frequency baroreflex sensitivity increased (13.4±10.1 vs. 26.0±20.9-ms.mmHg-1, p<0.05). Playing touch rugby with one session weekly over 3 months modified the cardiovascular autonomic control of sedentary subjects. A decrease in the sympathetic tone combined with both an increase in the vagal tone and a decrease in systolic blood pressure at rest were observed. Therefore, such training appears to be beneficial to cardiac health.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)567-572
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Sports Medicine
Volume36
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 17 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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