Evaluation of autonomic nervous system by heart rate variability and differential count of leukocytes in athletes

Nobuhiro Suetake, Yukiko Morita, Daichi Suzuki, Keiko Lee, Hiroyuki Kobayashi

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DOI: 10.4236/health.2010.210175                

Abstract

Top Japanese sprinters were evaluated for their physical condition, autonomic function, blood chemistry, differential leukocyte count and blood lactate level before and after short, maximal exercise to explore methods of quantifying their conditioning level. Statistical analysis of data obtained before and 10 min after exercise were used to estimate the athletes’ autonomic capacity during recovery. Pre and post exercise variances in differential leukocyte count revealed strong correlations between neutrophil and sympathetic activity, and lymphocyte and parasympathetic activity. The results of the study demonstrated significant alterations in autonomic parameters and differential white blood cell count in response to maximal exercise.

Keywords

Heart Rate Variability; Conditioning; Differential Count of Leukocytes

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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