Evaluation of the Heart Rate Variability of Resting and Activity of Senegalese Football Players

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is the fluctuation of heart rhythm between two consecutive beats. It reflects the autonomic control of the heart, which is also influenced by physical activity. Objective: Thus, the objective of our study was to investigate the HRV of Senegalese football players. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study based on the analysis of HRV of Senegalese footballers at rest, during orthostatic, the Ruffier test and its recovery using a Schiller AR4Plus® brand holter EKG. HRV parameters in the temporal and frequency domains were used, as well as cardiac adaptation indices during the Ruffier test. Data were analyzed using R software version 3.4.2. Results: A total of 32 players, all male, were explored. Majority of them had resting sinus bradycardia and cardiovascular adaptation was considered normal for all players according to the Ruffier index. Parasympathetic tone, as measured by RMSSD, pNN50 and HF.nu, was normal or elevated at rest and decreased in orthostatic and during the Ruffier test, but increased during recovery. Whereas sympathetic tone, explored by LF.nu and the LF/HF ratio, was low or normal and evolved in the opposite direction. Good cardiovascular adaptation was linked to good resting variability. Conclusion: Football players had a good total HRV of rest and responded normally to stress and recovery. Their cardiovascular adaptation is linked to overall variability.