Background and objectives: Negative changes on inflammatory markers and cardiac autonomic parameters in patients with cardiovascular diseases have been associated with a high risk of mortality. In this context, some studies have found positive effects of the aerobic training (AT) on plasma levels of interleukin and on autonomic parameters (e.g., heart rate variability) in patients without and with cardiovascular diseases. However, studies associating the effects of exercise on inflammation and autonomic cardiac control with patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remain scarce. This study investigated the impact of an 8-week aerobic training on plasma concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and autonomic cardiac control in patients undergoing CABG. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 13 patients who underwent successful CABG. Plasma concentration of IL-6 and autonomic cardiac control were evaluated before and after 8 weeks of AT (performed twice a week, with a 48-hr rest interval between each session; 35-40 minutes; low-moderate intensity). Results: Concentration of IL-6 (644.60 ± 475.12 vs. 403.97 ± 226.50 pg/ml; P=0.0237)] and autonomic cardiac control [LF (70.55 ± 10.27 vs. 58.82 ± 18.13 nu; P=0.0069)], [HF (29.27 ± 10.30 vs. 41.07 ± 18.15 nu; P=0.0062)] and [LF/HF (2.86 ± 1.46 vs. 2.01 ± 1.54; P=0.0032)] were significantly improved after AT. Conclusions: The findings of this preliminary research demonstrated potential benefits a positive impact of aerobic exercise on inflammation and autonomic cardiac control in patients undergoing CABG.

Background: Although there are studies on blood pressure (BP) and autonomic cardiac control (ACC) impairments caused by ergogenic aids, research has scarcely addressed this analysis during sleep. This study analyzed BP and ACC during sleep and wake periods in three groups of resistance training (RT) practitioners: ergogenic aid non-users, thermogenic supplement (TS) self-users, and anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) self-users. Methods: RT practitioners were selected for the Control Group (CG; n = 15), TS self-users Group (TSG; n = 15), and AAS self-users Group (AASG; n = 15). All individuals underwent cardiovascular Holter monitoring (BP, ACC) during sleep and wake periods. Results: The maximum systolic BP (SBP) during sleep was higher in AASG (p < 0.01) than CG (p < 0.001). CG had lower mean diastolic BP (DBP) than TSG (p < 0.01) and lower mean SBP (p = 0.009) than the other groups. Additionally, CG had higher values (p < 0.01) than TSG and AASG for SDNN and pNN50 during sleep. HF, LF, and LF/HF ratio values during sleep were statistically different in CG (p < 0.001) from the other groups. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that high doses of TS and AAS can impair cardiovascular parameters during sleep in RT practitioners who take ergogenic aids.