Studying Correlations Between Ice Test Values and Heart Rate Variability in Defensemen in Ice Hockey

BACKGROUND: Heart rate variability (HRV) indicators in ice hockey athletes are currently poorly studied. Identifying correlations between HRV indicators and the on-ice test (OIT) (the most effective method for assessing specific work capacity, energy supply, and adaptation of ice hockey players) is highly relevant due to the labor-intensive, costly, and invasive nature of the OIT AIM: To study the heart rate variability indicators in ice hockey defenders during an on-ice test and to identify correlations between indicators obtained as a result of examination using two methods. METHODS: The study involved 10 male ice hockey defenders from a higher league team, aged 19 to 34 years, during the preparatory period of the training cycle. Research methods: heart rate monitoring using the PolarTeamPro2 team system; determination of blood lactic acid content by photometric method; determination of calculated indicators of specific work capacity, energy supply, and blood buffer capacity of players in the OIT; 5-minute rhythmocardiography using the KFS-01.001 by Cardiometer-MT; statistical processing of the results was performed using Excel-2017. RESULTS: 7 out of 10 athletes (70%) had type III regulation of heart rhythm according to the N.I. Shlyk classification [1]. According to the median of spectral indicators, the central circuit of heart rhythm regulation (LF and VLF) was dominant in the defenders. The increase in the total wave spectrum significantly correlated with heart rate recovery indicators across the defenders sample (CC = -0.690) and the approximation of defenders to the model characteristics of the OIT (CC = 0.689). The value of the parasympathetic component of the wave spectrum (HF) significantly negatively correlated with the test completion time (CC = -0.48) (specific work capacity) and blood lactate in the OIT (CC = 0.515). CONCLUSION: Improving the adaptation of the cardiovascular system to specific on-ice work and bringing defenders closer to model characteristics is closely related to an increase in the overall variability of the heart rhythm and the central circuit of heart rhythm regulation, in particular. The dynamics of heart rate variability indicators can be used as operational monitoring for defenders in ice hockey.