Heart-Rate Variability Recording Time and Performance in Collegiate Female Rowers

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the agreement of the root mean square of successive R-R interval (RMSSD) values when recorded immediately upon waking to values recorded later in the morning prior to practice, and to determine the associations of the RMSSD recordings with performance outcomes in female rowers. Methods: A total of 31 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I rowers were monitored for 6 consecutive days. Two seated RMSSD measurements were obtained on at least 3 mornings using a smartphone-based photoplethysmography application. Each 1-minute RMSSD measure was recorded following a 1-minute stabilization period. The first (T1) measurement occurred at the athlete’s home following waking, while the second (T2) transpired upon arrival at the team’s boathouse immediately before practice. From the measures, the RMSSD mean and coefficient of variation were calculated. Two objective performance assessments were conducted on an indoor rowing ergometer on separate days: 2000-m time trial and distance covered in 30 minutes. Interteam rank was determined by the coaches, based on subjective and objective performance markers. Results: The RMSSD mean (intraclass correlation coefficient = .82; 95% CI, .63 to .92) and RMSSD coefficient of variation (intraclass correlation coefficient = .75; 95% CI, .48 to .88) were strongly correlated at T1 and T2, P < .001. The RMSSD mean at T1 and T2 was moderately associated with athlete rank (r = −.55 and r = −.46, respectively), 30-minute distance (r = .40 and r = .41, respectively), and 2000 m at T1 (r = −.37), P < .05. No significant correlations were observed for the RMSSD coefficient of variation. Conclusion: Ultrashort RMSSD measurements taken immediately upon waking show very strong agreement with those taken later in the morning, at the practice facility. Future research should more thoroughly investigate the relationship between specific performance indices and the RMSSD mean and coefficient of variation for female collegiate rowers.

The Influence of an Acute Bout of High-Intensity Interval Exercise on Heart Rate Variability Indices and Stress Index in the Absence of Cardiometabolic Diseases

“…In previous studies done with athletes and fit individuals, there were no variations in time domain variables, even though their protocols used moderate-intensity exercise for the workout regiments. Though these exercise protocols were different from our current exercise protocol, there is valuable information regarding the relationship between fitness and time domain variables 3 . Claiborne et al 20 did a large scale study of 176 collegiate athletes and obtained HRV values at rest.…”

“…Currently, HRV can be used as a tool to predict health outcomes, such as sudden cardiac death, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and numerous chronic illnesses that may subsequently arise form ANS and SNS dysfunction 1 . HRV is not only used to evaluate the health conditions of at-risk populations, but it can also be used to assess the health and performance of athletes 3 . HRV focuses on time and frequency domains, and utilizes high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), NN intervals and R-R intervals that can be used to determine ANS/SNS relationship and the influence on morbidity and mortality 4 .…”

Opera trainees’ cognitive functioning is associated with physiological stress during performance

“…The root mean square of successive R-R intervals (RMSSD) is a commonly used marker of HRV modulated by the parasympathetic nervous system ( Plews et al, 2013 ; Sherman et al, 2021 ). However, it is known to be influenced by external stimuli and the timing of measurement.…”

Heart Rate Variability Applications in Strength and Conditioning: A Narrative Review

“…Several methodological approaches have been used to assess HRV including body position (i.e., supine, seated, and standing) and recording duration (i.e., 1, 5, and 7 min). A 5 min recording duration is recommended in the clinical setting [ 4 ], while ultra-short readings (i.e., 1 min) have been used with athletes [ 12 ], given their time constraints. Regardless of the position or measurement duration, consistency in measurement time and methodology is of foremost importance.…”