The literature indicates that both spectral indices decreased this website exponentially according to exercise intensity [30]. Therefore, we expected minimal changes to be observed in these indices due to the work load maintenance during exercise in our study. Similar results for SDNN (ms) and RMSSD (ms) were observed by Casties et al. [31], when 7 young individuals performed 3 consecutive 8 min stages at 40%, 70% and 90% of VO2 peak. However, contrary to our findings, they showed

reduced levels of LF (nu) and LF/HF and an increase in HF (nu) at all intensities. The authors believe that it was due to the mechanical effect of hyperventilation on the sinus node, as well as synchronization between heartbeats, breathing and cycling.

It is possible that different types of physical exercises (intensity and duration) contributed to these conflicting results. Additionally, since the HRV was extremely low during exercise and the LF/HF ratio is calculated using the ratio of two very small values, the data obtained from this relationship may be uncertain or highly sensitive to changes in the LF and HF indices, which may account for the conflicting results. Although not significant, HR was higher when no fluid was ingested during exercise. Hamilton et al. [32] showed an increase in HR (10%), and reduced stroke volume (15%) when subjects performed 2 h of exercise without any fluid intake. When selleck kinase inhibitor Gatorade powder fluid was administered, HR increased to 5% and stroke volume remained unchanged. This behavior observed in our study may be related to the “cardiovascular drift” phenomenon. Cardiovascular drift JNK-IN-8 in vitro is characterized by findings of decreasing stroke volume and mean arterial BCKDHA pressure, rising heart rate, and stable cardiac output during sustained constant-load exercise [33, 34]. A study in adults indicated that when dehydration is prevented by fluid intake, this pattern is altered, with no change in stroke volume and a progressive rise in cardiac output [33]. When analyzed during the recovery period, the indices that

reflect the predominance of vagal activity, RMSSD (ms), HF (ms2) and HF (nu) presented a gradual increase and rapid recovery in approximately 25 min when the individuals were hydrated. Conversely, there was no complete recovery of these indices when the individuals were not hydrated. In addition, LF (ms2) and LF (nu), which predominantly reflect sympathetic nerve activity, also recovered faster in EP, especially LF (nu), which returned to baseline levels 15 min post-exercise. In CP, although LF (ms2) behavior was similar to that observed in EP, LF (nu) did not recover, suggesting sympathetic predominance in unhydrated subjects. Additionally, there was significant interaction between moments and protocols for the LF (nu) and HF (nu) indices, suggesting better post-exercise recovery in the experimental protocol.