The Dual Effect of Normobaric Hypoxia on Heart Rate Variability and Substrate Partitioning During Exercise and Recovery

)The research proposal is designed to examine the relationship between metabolism and the autonomic nervous system during exercise and recovery. This randomized, controlled crossover design experiment will consist of three sessions. The first session is a familiarization session. The second and third sessions will be the same, except the exercise portion will be done in either hypoxia or normoxia. For the second and third sessions, participants will first complete a basal metabolic rate, and then the participant will cycle (intervals) for an hour. Following cycling, they will complete a post-exercise metabolic rate. This study shall examine the cumulative effect of exercise and hypoxia on the sympathovagal balance (using heart rate variability) and its potential association with the shift in substrate partitioning during recovery. It is hypothesized that the treatment (hypoxic exercise bouts) will delay vagal nerve reactivation during recovery compared to control (normoxic exercise bouts) and that this autonomic response will affect substrate partitioning to a greater extent. Results from this study will benefit the partner organization because it will help them to possibly create new technology and give them information for further studies

Faculty Supervisor:

Fabien Basset

Student:

Partner:

Progressive Athletics Therapy Health Corporation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: