Estimated intensity and acute cardiovascular response to a single exercise session guided by the fitness app Sworkit® Personal Trainer

Abstract Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an exercise session prescribed by the Sworkit® Personal Trainer application on hemodynamic and autonomic responses. Methods: The sample consisted of 11 men classified as sedentary according to IPAQ. The exercises were randomly selected by the app Sworkit® Personal Trainer, using the pre-built program "Light Warm-Up Cardio" (see supplementary material). Heart rate and perceived exertion data were collected every minute during an exercise session. Blood pressure and heart rate variability were measured Pre, Post, 30 min, 12h, 24 h, and 48h after exercise. Heart rate and rate of perceived exertion were collected during the 30 minutes exercise. Results: Hemodynamic responses showed differences in heart rate and systolic blood pressure: Post, 12 h and 24 h compared to Pre. We also found significant statistical differences in the heart rate variability indexes when comparing Post, 30min to 48h versus Pre, indicating modifications in the autonomic modulation post-exercise. The perceived exertions scale remained between 13-14 during the exercise. Heart rate was 149 ± 5.26 (80 ± 5% of HRmax) during the 30min exercise, indicating a moderate to vigorous intensity. Conclusion: We concluded that a single exercise session guided by the Sworkit® Personal Trainer application could generate autonomic changes in up to 12 hours, presenting a moderate to vigorous intensity in 30 minutes of exercise for sedentary men.