Analysis of Fractal Correlation Properties of Heart Rate Variability during an Initial Session of Eccentric Cycling

{Eccentric cycling (ECC) has attracted attention as a method to improve muscle strength and aerobic fitness in populations unable to tolerate conventional methods. However, agreement on exercise prescription targets have been problematic. The current report is an initial exploration of a potentially useful tool, a nonlinear heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) index based on the short-term scaling exponent alpha1 of detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA a1), which has been previously shown to correspond to exercise intensity. Eleven male volunteers performed 45 min of concentric (CON) cycling and ECC separated by 1 month. Work rates were matched for HR (similar to 50% of the maximal HR) during the first 5 min and remained stable thereafter. HRV, HR, oxygen consumption (VO2), and cycling power were monitored and evaluated at elapsed times of 10 (T10) and 45 (T45) minutes duration. HR significantly increased between ECC T10 and ECC T45 (p = 0.003