Vol 11, Issue 2

Relative Handgrip Strength as a Simple Tool to Evaluate Impaired Heart Rate Recovery and a Low Chronotropic Index in Obese Older Women

Authors

Cristiane Rocha da SilvaPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil.
Dahan da Cunha NascimentoPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil.
Ivo Sousa NetoPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil.
Ramires TibanaUniversidade Federal do Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, BRASIL.
Samuel OliveiraPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil.
Renato ValdugaCentro Universitário Unieuro, Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brasil
Nayara SantosCentro Universitário do Distrito Federal, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
Bruno SaraivaPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil.
Jonato PrestesPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil.
Jeffrey WillardsonHealth and Human Performance, Rocky Mountain College, Billings, Montana, United States of America
Guilherme Borges PereiraPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil.
International Journal of Exercise Science 11(2): 844-855, 2018.
DOI: 10.70252/WYJH9813

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare differences in heart rate response following a treadmill exercise test in elderly obese women categorized into groups based on relative handgrip strength. Eighty-eight obese elderly women who were between the ages of 60 and 87 participated in the study and were categorized and enrolled to one of two groups based on lower (< 1.51 m²) or higher (≥ 1.51 m²) relative handgrip strength, respectively. The heart rate recovery in the first and second minutes following the treadmill exercise test and the chronotropic index were compared between groups. The higher relative handgrip strength group presented a significantly higher peak heart rate during exercise and a quicker heart rate recovery following exercise versus the lower relative handgrip strength group (pp=0.059) toward a significantly greater chronotropic index in the higher versus the lower relative handgrip strength group. In conclusion, elderly women with greater relative handgrip strength also demonstrated a better heart rate response during and following exercise, possibly indicating better autonomic balance. The relative handgrip strength might be an important and inexpensive tool for the elderly obese women to indirect assess cardiovascular health.

Recommended Citation