Use of "the former"

[marcofabri]

Hi,

I´am in doubt if the use of the word "the former" in the below sentence is correct and clear:

The mechanisms by which HIIT may be superior to MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training) in reducing blood pressure seem to involve its higher capacity in improving endothelial function or reducing sympathetic autonomous nerve activity. In this study, we believe that the former is more likely to have occurred since if a reduction of sympathetic autonomous nerve activity had occurred, it would be expected a reduction in heart rate. However, different of our later studies using moderate-intensity exercise in which both groups ( accumulated and single daily sessions) presented heart rate reduction, here both HIIT regiments did not change heart rate.

Thanks

 

[probus]

"The former" always means the one that was mentioned first in the preceding text. So in this case it's HIIT rather than MICT (whatever those may be.)

That said, "different of our later studies" is wrong. I can't tell what it means. Perhaps you meant several or some?

 

[marcofabri]

Hi,

I actually think that the sentence I wrote had two errors. 1. It´s not "later studies" is "previous studies". 2. Regarding the use of "the former" I am refering to the first mechanism, not HIIT.

I rewrote it and please let me know if it makes sense now:

The mechanisms by which HIIT may be superior to MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training) in reducing blood pressure seem to involve its higher capacity in improving endothelial function [ref ] or reducing sympathetic autonomous nerve activity [ ? ]. In this study, we believe that the former mechanism is more likely to have occurred since if a reduction of sympathetic autonomous nerve activity had occurred, it would be expected a reduction in heart rate. However, different from our previous studies using moderate-intensity exercise in which both groups ( accumulated and single daily sessions) presented heart rate reduction, here both HIIT regiments did not change heart rate.

 

[probus]

It seems right to me now. Sorry about my earlier misunderstanding.

 

[jutfrank]

I don't like it. Just state clearly and precisely what you mean. I don't see how you can call HIIT's capacity to improve endothelial function a 'mechanism', which seems to be what you're saying. If anything, you mean to say that the improving of the endothelial function that is the mechanism, not the capacity to improve.

Also, higher capacity isn't right. Say greater capacity. And say capacity to improve instead of capacity in improving. There are a few other errors. The whole passage needs work.

 

[marcofabri]

Hi just frank, thank you for the considerations.

Let me hear from you if the sentences are more clear:

HIIT seems to be superior to MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training) in reducing blood pressure due to its greater capacity to improve endothelial function [ref ] or reduce sympathetic autonomous nerve activity. Here, we believe that both HIIT regiments did not change sympathetic autonomous nerve activity since heart rate was similar between trained and untrained groups. This result was different from our previous studies in which accumulated or single daily sessions of moderate-intensity exercise promoted bradycardia.

 

[jutfrank]

HIIT seems to be superior to MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training) in reducing blood pressure due to its greater capacity to improve endothelial function [ref ] or reduce sympathetic autonomous nerve activity. Here, we believe that both HIIT regiments did not change sympathetic autonomous nerve activity since heart rate was similar between trained and untrained groups. This result was different from our previous studies in which accumulated or single daily sessions of moderate-intensity exercise promoted bradycardia.

The red bits are not right. or doesn't make sense and Here is just wrong. Just repeat clearly what you're talking about.

The rest is good, although I'd change between to for.

 

[Tdol]

It's not natural English:

[strike]it would be expected a reduction in heart rate[/strike]

A reduction in heart rate would be expected.

Etc.