Ultrashort Versus Criterion Heart Rate Variability Among International-Level Girls’ Field Hockey Players

Abstract

Purpose: To assess heart rate (HR) variability responses to various markers of training load, quantify associations between HR variability and fitness, and compare responses and associations between 1-minute ultrashort and 5-minute criterion measures among a girls’ field hockey team. Methods: A total of 11 players (16.8 [1.1] y) recorded the logarithm of the root mean square of successive differences (LnRMSSD) daily throughout a 4-week training camp. The weekly mean (LnRMSSDM) and coefficient of variation (LnRMSSDCV) were analyzed. The internal training load (ITL) and external training load (ETL) were acquired with session HR and accelerometry, respectively. Speed, agility, repeated sprint ability, and intermittent fitness were assessed precamp and postcamp. Results: Similar increases in the ultrashort and criterion LnRMSSDM were observed in week 3 versus week 1 (P < .05–.06, effect size [ES] = 0.28 to 0.36). The ultrashort and criterion LnRMSSDCV showed small ES reductions in week 2 (ES = −0.40 to −0.50), moderate reductions in week 3 (ES = −0.61 to −0.72), and small reductions in week 4 (ES = −0.42 to −0.51) versus week 1 (P > .05). Strong agreement was observed between the ultrashort and criterion values (intraclass correlation coefficient = .979). The ITL:ETL ratio peaked in week 1 (P < .05 vs weeks 2–4), displaying a weekly pattern similar to LnRMSSDCV, and inversely similar to LnRMSSDM. Changes in the ultrashort and criterion LnRMSSDCV from week 1 to 4 were associated with ITL (P < .01). The ultrashort and criterion LnRMSSDCV in week 4 were associated (P < .05) with postcamp fitness. Conclusions: The ultrashort HR variability parameters paralleled the criterion responses, and the associations with ITL and fitness were similar in magnitude.

The Use of a Smartphone Application in Monitoring HRV during an Altitude Training Camp in Professional Female Cyclists: A Preliminary Study

“…These results can be observed in detail in Table 1 . These findings are in line with previously published articles that showed a reduction of LnRMSSD and increases in LnRMSSDcv during overload periods in collegiate female soccer players [ 27 ] and international female hockey players [ 37 ]. Thus, it seems that these vagal markers could be used to track the response to the training of professional female cyclists both at sea level and in moderate altitude conditions using a smartphone application.…”

“…LnRMSSDcv showed a mean change of −30% during the first week of the TC and the individual change ranged between 6% and −69%. Thus, it seems that the exposition to moderate levels of hypoxia did not produce enough stress to induce reductions in the vagal activity in this population and this reduction could be due to the concomitant reduction in the TL, as seen before in other sports [ 37 , 39 , 40 ]. It is important to note that these markers evolved differently among individuals.…”

Does Exercise Training Improve Cardiac-Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity in Sedentary People? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

“…Second, all included studies used single-time point HRV values, while previous studies suggest that average HRV values from a series of consecutive days should be used to account for and to quantify day-to-day HRV lability [ 30 , 110 ]. Indeed, improvements in aerobic fitness are often associated with increased stability in daily RMSSD values [ 111 , 112 , 113 ], quantified by the coefficient of variation, and more stable RHR profiles are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events [ 114 ]. Third, measurements were carried out in the supine position and the seated position in studies that performed lab-based measures.…”

Heart Rate Variability-Guided Training for Enhancing Cardiac-Vagal Modulation, Aerobic Fitness, and Endurance Performance: A Methodological Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

“…Several investigations and one case study reported greater reductions in vagal-mediated HRV relative to baseline throughout predefined training versus better maintenance of values with HRV-guided training [ 17 , 18 , 65 ]. Moreover, observational studies frequently report greater aerobic fitness improvements among individuals who exhibit higher and more stable vagal HRV values throughout predefined training [ 37 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Contrastingly, greater day-to-day fluctuations in HRV are often observed in fatigued athletes and can occur with [ 58 , 68 , 72 ] or without [ 66 , 73 ] purposeful overload.…”