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Precompetitive assessment of heart rate variability in elite female athletes during play offs
Author(s) -
D'Ascenzi Flavio,
Alvino Federico,
Natali Benedetta M.,
Cameli Matteo,
Palmitesta Paola,
Boschetti Giampaolo,
Bonifazi Marco,
Mondillo Sergio
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
clinical physiology and functional imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.608
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-097X
pISSN - 1475-0961
DOI - 10.1111/cpf.12088
Subject(s) - medicine , heart rate variability , athletes , heart rate , elite athletes , cardiology , physical therapy , blood pressure
Summary Background Heart rate variability ( HRV ) has been rarely applied in elite athletes prior to competition. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in HRV in elite female volleyball players before a stressful match during play offs and to evaluate the impact on sport‐specific performance. Methods A short‐term resting HRV analysis was applied right after the night sleep in ten female athletes 1 and 2 days prior to the match and the day of the competition. Results Approaching the decisive match, RR interval, resting heart rate ( HR ), p NN 50, r MSDD and SD 1 did not significantly vary. SD 2 significantly increased in comparison with first‐day measurement ( P <0·05). HF % levels significantly decreased the prematch day and the match day ( P <0·05); however, no significant changes in LF / HF % ratio were observed. A gradual increase in VLF % and in L n VLF was observed, with a significant difference between first‐day and match‐day measurements ( P <0·01 and P <0·05, respectively). The number of positive receptions was inversely correlated with LF / HF ms 2 ratio, with LF / HF % ratio ( R  = −0·98, P <0·05 for both) and with resting HR ( R  = −0·92, P <0·05). Conclusions Elite female athletes practising team sports exhibit a slight change in HRV prior to a decisive competition, without a pronounced variation of the autonomic nervous system activity. A day‐to‐day HRV measurement could be a useful tool to evaluate the impact of a competition on the autonomic nervous system in athletes, also considering the relationship between sympathetic activity and athletic performance.

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