title: Effects of strenuous exercise on autonomic nervous system activity in sickle cell trait carriers.
abstract: This study compared the nocturnal autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in seven sickle cell trait (SCT) carriers and six subjects with normal hemoglobin in response to exercise Sympathetic and parasympathetic indices of nocturnal ANS were measured in the two groups before and 24 and 48 h after a strenuous exercise consisting of the repetition of three maximal exercise bouts. Global ANS activity decreased 24 h after exercise in both groups and was lower before as well as after exercise in SCT carriers. Indices of parasympathetic activity were lower in SCT carriers at all times, indicating a persistent sympatho-vagal imbalance. Exercise did not cause a rebound in parasympathetic activity in either group, but a rebound was noted for sympathetic index values two days after exercise in SCT group only. The ANS activity was generally lower, and the sympatho-vagal imbalance greater, in SCT carriers compared with control subjects irrespective of exercise and could increase the risk for medical complications in this population.
authors.affiliation: Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, Laboratoire ACTES (EA 3596), Département de Physiologie, Campus de Fouillole, 97159 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hédreville
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Barthélémy
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tripette
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.forename: Marie Dominique
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hardy-Dessources
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pichot
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hue
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Connes