Association of physical activity domains and intensity with acute heart rate response to exercise

Abstract Background The positive association between physical activity (PA) and heart rate (HR) related cardiovascular (CV) fitness and CV risk is well established, but it is less well known how the type and intensity of PA have influence on the efficacy of the risk reduction. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between CV fitness and three intensity categories of PA in four domains in the Hungarian population. Methods Data for our study were obtained from a cross-sectional survey (n = 665) conducted in Hungary in 2018. Individual PA was assessed using the IPAQ long form and expressed as the metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week for light, moderate and vigorous activities for total and each domain (work, transport, domestic and gardening - dom. & gard., leisure-time - LTPA). CV fitness was assessed using the YMCA 3-minute step test, with HR measured at rest (HRrest) and immediately after exercise (HRaft) and their difference (ΔHR) was calculated. Multiple regression analysis was used for the statistical analyses. Results Total PA (B=-0.001; p < 0.001), its vigorous (B=-0.001; p = 0.001) and moderate (B=-0.001; p < 0.001) intensity forms, and LTPA (B=-0.002; p < 0.001) showed a significant association with both HRaft and ΔHR, whereas dom. & gard. domain (B=-0.001; p = 0.010) is only significantly associated with ΔHR. Vigorous intensity form of dom. & gard. (B=-0.002; p = 0.006) and moderate intensity form of LTPA (B=-0.004; p < 0.001) showed individually significant associations with HRaft but not with ΔHR. Transport by bicycle was the only form of PA that showed a significant association with both HRaft (B=-0.004; p < 0.001) and ΔHR (B=-0.003; p = <0.001). Conclusions Based on our results, among the domains of PA, dom. & gard. and LTPA, both moderate and vigorous intensity forms, as well as the use of bicycles for transport showed the strongest association with favourable CV fitness, and their promotion in public health interventions is recommended. Key messages • Recommendations should consider that not all forms of physical activity significantly improve individual cardiovascular fitness. • Interventions targeting the improvement of cardiovascular fitness should improve physical activity in leisure time and the use of bicycles for transport.