A Submaximal Running Test With Postexercise Cardiac Autonomic and Neuromuscular Function in Monitoring Endurance Training Adaptation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a submaximal running test (SRT) with post-3 exercise heart rate recovery, heart rate variability and countermovement jump measurements 4 could be used to monitor endurance training adaptation. Thirty-five endurance trained men 5 and women completed an 18-week endurance training program. Maximal endurance 6 performance and maximal oxygen uptake were measured every eight weeks. In addition, SRT 7 with post-exercise heart rate recovery, heart rate variability and countermovement jump 8 measurements were performed every four weeks. SRT consisted of two 6-minute stages at 9 70% and 80% of HR max and a 3-minute stage at 90% HR max , followed by a 2-minute recovery 10 stage for measuring post-exercise heart rate recovery, heart rate variability and 11 countermovement jump test. The highest responders according to the change of maximal 12 endurance performance showed significant improvement in running speeds during stages 2 13 and 3 in SRT, while no changes were observed in the lowest responders. The strongest 14 correlation was found between the change of maximal endurance performance and running 15 speed during stage 3, while no significant relationships were found between the change of 16 maximal endurance performance and the changes of post exercise heart rate recovery, heart 17 rate variability and countermovement jump. Running speed at 90% HR max intensity was the 18 most sensitive variable to monitor adaptation to endurance training. The present submaximal 19 test showed potential to monitor endurance training adaptation. Furthermore, it may serve a 20 practical tool for athletes and coaches to evaluate weekly the effectiveness of training 21 program without interfering normal training habits. 22 23

Effects of HRV-Guided vs. Predetermined Block Training on Performance, HRV and Serum Hormones

“…Most studies have focused on typical high volume endurance training, so it can be speculated that high intensity training may induce different adaptations. Zinner et al [47] found that after 2 weeks of HIT training a positive correlation between the improvement in endurance performance and an increase in basal testosterone concentration was observed.…”

“…[29]Monitoring can be divided in to the external and internal methods. The external methods include performance tests like countermovement jumps [5] or submaximal performance tests [47]. The internal methods in turn include markers such as hormone concentrations of testosterone [6] or testosterone-cortisol -ratio [13] and heart rate or HRV measurements [19,45].…”

Heart Rate Monitoring in Team Sports—A Conceptual Framework for Contextualizing Heart Rate Measures for Training and Recovery Prescription

“…Since the repeated assessment of maximal physical performance is unsuitable in (team sport) athletes, submaximal, non-exhaustive tests have been more frequently adopted by researchers and practitioners during recent decades (Buchheit, 2014 ; Halson, 2014 ; Akenhead and Nassis, 2016 ; Capostagno et al, 2016 ; Thorpe et al, 2017 ). However, the protocols used vary greatly in modality (running Malone et al, 2017 vs. cycling Thorpe et al, 2015 ), load characteristics (continuous Buchheit et al, 2010 vs. intermittent Brink et al, 2013 , linear Buchheit et al, 2010 vs. shuttle runs Bradley et al, 2011 , constant Buchheit et al, 2010 vs. graded Bradley et al, 2011 ), test duration (5 min Buchheit et al, 2010 to 16 min Vesterinen et al, 2017 ), intensity (low-intensity Buchheit et al, 2013c vs. high-intensity Vesterinen et al, 2017 ) and workload prescription (standardized Bradley et al, 2011 vs. individualized Buchheit et al, 2010 , internal Vesterinen et al, 2017 vs. external Bradley et al, 2011 ).…”

Acute Physiological Responses to Four Running Sessions Performed at Different Intensity Zones

“…A similar approach has also been examined with a heart rate-based submaximal cycling test [18]. The general assumption in submaximal tests is that increase in the power or speed at the same relative heart rate and perceived effort reflects positive training adaptation [19] and readiness to train [18].…”