Tapering after overload training in marathon runners increased exhaustive running time (727 vs 614 s; P=0.035), with improvements negatively correlating with heart rate recovery (r=-0.84; P=0.005).
Does an overload-tapering paradigm alter post-exercise heart rate recovery and heart rate variability in marathon runners?
A slower heart rate recovery during marathon tapering may be indicative of improved performance, whereas single-day post-exercise HRV monitoring may have little additive value.
Absolute Event Rate: 727% vs 614%
p-value: p=0.035
The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in post-exercise heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) during an overload-tapering paradigm in marathon runners and examine their relationship with running performance. 9 male runners followed a training program composed of 3 weeks of overload followed by 3 weeks of tapering (-33 ± 7%). Before and after overload and during tapering they performed an exhaustive running test (T(lim)). At the end of this test, HRR variables (e.g. HRR during the first 60 s; HRR(60 s)) and vagal-related HRV indices (e.g. RMSSD(5-10 min)) were examined. T(lim) did not change during the overload training phase (603 ± 105 vs. 614 ± 132 s; P = 0.992), but increased (727 ± 185 s; P = 0.035) during the second week of tapering. Compared with overload, RMSSD(5-10 min) (7.6 ± 3.3 vs. 8.6 ± 2.9 ms; P = 0.045) was reduced after the 2(nd) week of tapering. During tapering, the improvements in T(lim) were negatively correlated with the change in HRR(60 s) (r = -0.84; P = 0.005) but not RMSSD(5-10 min) (r = -0.21; P = 0.59). A slower HRR during marathon tapering may be indicative of improved performance. In contrast, the monitoring of changes in HRV as measured in the present study (i.e. after exercise on a single day), may have little or no additive value.
Hug et al. (Tue,) conducted a other in Marathon runners (n=9). Overload-tapering training paradigm vs. Overload training phase (baseline) was evaluated on Exhaustive running test time (T(lim)) (p=0.035). Tapering after overload training in marathon runners increased exhaustive running time (727 vs 614 s; P=0.035), with improvements negatively correlating with heart rate recovery (r=-0.84; P=0.005).
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