Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 27(6):1511–1519, JUN 2013
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31826caef8
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PMID: 23715265
Issn Print: 1064-8011
Publication Date: 2013/06/01
Heart Rate Variability Threshold Values for Early-Warning Nonfunctional Overreaching in Elite Female Wrestlers
Ye Tian;Zi-hong He;Jie-xiu Zhao;Da-lang Tao;Kui-yun Xu;Conrad Earnest;Lars Mc Naughton;
+ Author Information
1Biology Center, China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing, China2Combat and Weightlifting Administration Center of Anhui province, Hefei, China3Elite Sports College, Beijing Sports University, Beijing, China4Department for Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom5Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Abstract
Tian, Y, He, Z-H, Zhao, J-X, Tao, D-L, Xu, K-Y, Earnest, CP, and Mc Naughton, LR. Heart rate variability threshold values for early-warning nonfunctional overreaching in elite female wrestlers. J Strength Cond Res 27(6): 1511–1519, 2013—Functional overreaching (FOR) represents intense training followed by a brief reduction in performance and then a rapid recovery (<2 weeks) and performance supercompensation. Nonfunctional overreaching (NFOR) occurs when the reduced performance continues ≥3 weeks. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a promising tool for detecting NFOR. In this study, the authors examined HRV thresholds in 34 elite female wrestlers (mean ± SD: age 23 ± 3 years; height 165.6 ± 6 cm, weight 63 ± 8 kg) for FOR/NFOR during training before 11 major competitions. Supine HRV was analyzed weekly at the same time of day using time and frequency domain methods. The authors observed that the time domain index, square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent R-to-R intervals (rMSSD, milliseconds), denoting parasympathetic tone, showed those responding normally to training (82.76 ms, 95% confidence interval 77.75–87.78) to be significantly different to those showing a decrease (45.97 ms, 95% confidence interval, 30.79–61.14) or hyper-responsiveness (160.44 ms, 95% confidence interval, 142.02–178.85; all, p < 0.001). Similar results were observed for mixed sympathetic and parasympathetic signal standard deviation of the NN intervals (ms): normal (65.39; 95% confidence interval, 62.49–68.29), decrease (40.07; 95% confidence interval, 29–51.14), and hyperresponse (115.00; 95% confidence interval, 105.46–124.54; all, p < 0.001) and synonymous frequency domain components. An examination of the 95% confidence interval shows a narrow band surrounding a normal response compared with broader bands accompanying adverse responses. Thus, severe perturbations both above and below normal responses lasting >2 weeks indicated an athlete’s transition to NFOR and, hence, are useful for assessing possible overreaching/training.
