Comparable effects of heart rate upon adaptation to internal and external loads in fourth class cadets

Abstract

The purpose of this research work is to compare the behavior of physiological variables, such as heart rate, to an internal load using interval and continuous variable training methods associated with aerobic resistance. A comparative, longitudinal, and quantitative quasi-experimental study was designed and carried out during six weeks of the school year 2024-1, with a frequency of three sessions per week, for a total of 18 sessions. The study was conducted with fourth class cadets from a military physical education faculty in Colombia. The cadets participated voluntarily and signed an informed consent form that addressed international, national, and local ethical implications. Group 1 (G1=13 men ± 20.34 years old and 3 women ± 19.69 years old) used a volume-orientated interval working method with an intensity of 60% of maximum capacity. Group 2 (G2=14 men ± 20.19 years old and 4 women ± 20.11 years old) used a continuous variable method with a maximum intensity orientation of 80%. The study was confirmed by the adaptation of the training load in conditions of volume by intensity according to heart rate. Once the results are obtained, a parameterization was made considering a normal distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test from the arithmetic mean. The variables resting heart rate (HRRt) before the session, maximum (HRMax) and minimum (HRMin) heart rate during the session were analyzed using Student’s t-test for independent samples, to analyze one-way variance (one-way ANOVA). The level of reliability was (p<0,005). It was observed that G1 showed statistically significant changes in HRp (p<0,001) and a progressive decrease in HRMin (p<0,001) without statistical changes. G2 showed statistically significant changes in HRMax (p<0,001) and maintained the mean value of HRMin without statistical changes. These results provide valuable information on internal and external load adaptation as a function of heart rate in fourth class cadets. In conclusion, G1 presents an adaptation to the external training load that shows a greater effectiveness and efficiency in work activities by decreasing the values of HRMin. However, G2 shows variations in HRMax due to the variability of the method and the maintenance of the HRMin.