Abstract

Obesity is linked to chronic inflammation that alters not only inflammatory markers but also the autonomic nervous system, establishing a sympathetic predominance leading to cardiovascular risk. In this way, cardiovagal training is recognized as a treatment that not only modifies physical condition but also helps regulate the autonomic system and inflammatory markers. The objective of this study was to analyze the results of an 8-week cardiovagal training program by evaluating the autonomic, inflammatory, and metabolic responses in obese individuals. A total of 28 obese participants were stratified according to their HOMA-IR: the group without insulin resistance (NIR) and the group with insulin resistance (IR). The participants underwent cardiovagal training for 8 weeks. Metabolic variables such as insulin, leptin, TNFa, IL6, and the HOMA-IR index were considered, as well as variables of heart rate variability (HRV). The results show that the differences in change between pre- and post-intervention inflammatory markers represented favorable changes in IL10 (NIR -0.21 and IR -0.45 pg/ml) and in TNFa (NIR -0.23 and IR -0.51 pg/ml). In terms of HRV, the changes were favorable (p=<0.005) for SDNN (NIR 3.17 and IR 17.32 ms), RMSSD (NIR 11.45 and IR 23.27 ms), and LF/HF ratio (NIR 0.74 and IR 2.25 Hz). It is concluded that after 8 weeks of intervention, cardiovagal training in obese individuals with IR increased parasympathetic modulation and attenuated inflammatory markers. © 2025 Federacion Espanola de Docentes de Educacion Fisica. All rights reserved.