Influence of a prior anaerobic load on the heart rate kinetics during intermittent exercise of progresive intensity

The aim of the study was to examine the influence of a prior anaerobic load (PAnL) on heart rate (HR) kinetics during intermittent exercise at varied work rate (WR). Each subject (n=15) cycled in two tests consisting of an intermittent, gradually increasing exercise (pedal frequency – 70 rpm, 1st load – 25 W, duration – 4 min, duration of other loads – 3 min). The loads were increased gradual by 25 W until the HR was above 150 b/min. The passive rest duration – 3 min. Prior to one test as PAnL the Wingate test was performed. The blood samples were taken at fifth and 20th min after PAnL. The HR kinetics was analyzed by adopting monoexponential function. The results showed that the primary change in exercise and recovery heart rate after PAnL was an increase in steady state level at the WR equal to or lower than the lactate threshold. The time courses of HR increase or decrease were almost identical under both testing conditions. This phenomenon may be explained by increased circulation of catecholamines and acidosis without changing HR kinetics.