Impact of physical activity levels on cardiometabolic parameters and autonomic modulation in elderly: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: By 2030, approximately 20% of the population worldwide will be 65 years of age or older. In this age group, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) will result in 40% of all deaths. Heart rate variability (HRV) appears to be reduced under stress conditions and in many chronic diseases as cardiovascular diseases that appear to be associated with autonomic changes that usually include decreased parasympathetic activation and/or increased sympathetic modulation. Thus, aging is very important for altering neurohumoral mechanisms that control the cardiovascular system. Objective: To analyze the influence of level of physical activity in the HRV in elderly people. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study which included 49 subjects (60 – 86 years), which answered the Baecke questionnaire. Results: The less physically active group had lower levels of plasma HDL (42±2.43mg/dL vs 52±3.8mg/dL) and higher systolic BP (131±117mmHg vs 117±4.07mmHg) when compared to the most active group. The more physically active group showed higher PI of variance (1849.6±387.7ms²) when compared to the moderate (892.1±141.9 ms²) and the less physically active groups (972.3±285.2 ms²). Moreover, the most physically active group presented lower LF/HF balance (1.6±0.2) when compared to the moderate (2.6±0.3) and the less active groups (2.5±0.2). Discussion: The results demonstrated the importance of physical activity to promote hemodynamic, autonomic and lipid profile improvement, suggesting a lower risk of developing or progressing the disease in the elderly.