Although delayed heart rate recovery (HRR) and impaired autonomic nerve system (ANS) modulation after acute exercise are related with cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality, studies evaluating ANS changes with local exercise are still unsatisfied. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the modulation of ANS-related parameters, followed by upper or lower body exercise. Eleven male without cardiovascular and orthopedic diseases measured basic body composition, resting blood pressure (BP), and heart rate variability (HRV). This study based on randomized cross-over design; AE composed with arm-ergometer, and LE involved with leg cycling. Participants had at least one week wash-out between each exercise, also there was no cool-down after exercise. All sessions were performed with intensity of 50 % target heart rate for 30 min. With measurement of Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during every 10 min, HRV was measured Kubios HRV software using R-R intervals collected with Polar RS800CX in post-exercise recovery (for 30 min). As a result, heart rate (HR) and RPE were same (p > 0.05) through the experiment. As results of this study, SDNN and rMSSD in time domain on LE were higher than on AE during post-exercise recovery. When LE compared with AE used by Poincare plot, both parasympathetic reactivation (SD1) and autonomic nerve regulation (SD 2) on LE were higher than AE. Immediately after submaximal exercise, the high-frequency component on LE was significantly greater compared to AE. Also, the LF/HF ratio and LF nu reflecting sympathetic activity were higher on AE than LE. In contrast, the HF/TP ratio and HF nu reflecting vagal tone were greater on LE than AE. In conclusion, this study suggested regional lower body exercise recovers more sufficient than regional upper body exercise after submaximal aerobic exercise at same HR. Local exercise like leg cycling needs a careful approach to apply for accurate exercise prescription and effective training.
