Impact of fire-fighters training on a female with smoldering multiple myeloma

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a fire-fighting training regime on the cardiac autonomic control of a middle-aged female diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). Cardiac autonomic control was monitored by heart rate variability (HRV) analysis in the patient during the last six-week period of a one and half year training period. Compared with healthy, physically active age-matched females, the patient demonstrated similar HRV parameters. Furthermore, the patient experienced a positive evolution of the SMM during this training period. These findings indicate: 1) the beneficial effects of high intensity physical training on cardiac autonomic function in a SMM patient; 2) the potential value of HRV monitoring in cancer patients undertaking regular physical activity

Reliability of heart rate measures during walking before and after running maximal efforts

Previous studies on HR recovery (HRR) measures have utilized the supine and the seated postures. However, the most common recovery mode in sport and clinical settings after running exercise is active walking. The aim of the current study was to examine the reliability of HR measures during walking (4 km · h − 1 ) before and following a maximal test. Twelve endurance athletes performed an incremental running test on 2 days separated by 48 h. Absolute (coefficient of variation, CV, %) and relative [Intraclass correlation coefficient, (ICC)] reliability of time domain and non-linear measures of HR variability (HRV) from 3 min recordings, and HRR parameters over 5 min were assessed. Moderate to very high reliability was identified for most HRV indices with short-term components of time domain and non-linear HRV measures demonstrating the greatest reliability before (CV: 12–22 %; ICC: 0.73–0.92) and after exercise (CV: 14–32 %; ICC: 0.78–0.91). Most HRR indices and parameters of HRR kinetics demonstrated high to very high reliability with HR values at a given point and the asymptotic value of HR being the most reliable (CV: 2.5–10.6 %; ICC: 0.81–0.97). These findings demonstrate these measures as reliable tools for the assessment of autonomic control of HR during walking before and after maximal efforts