Key result
Tour de France competition linked to ~52% lower RMSSD versus training, reflecting extreme cardiovascular load.
Why the study?
Heart rate variability is commonly used to monitor training responses, but its usefulness in professional cycling, particularly during multi-day Grand Tours, remains questionable.
Comparison
Training period vs two competition blocks including the Tour de France
Design
Single-subject observational study
Follow-up
5 months
Authors
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HRV data from one cyclist during a Grand Tour warrant interpretive caution; leaves open its monitoring value in elite multi-day racing.
Case Report (n=1)
Absolute Event Rate: 46% vs 96%
Daily HRV monitoring shows distinct patterns between training and competition in a professional cyclist, but its utility during extreme multi-day events like the Tour de France may be limited.
Bourdillon et al. (2024) conducted a case report in Healthy professional cyclist (n=1). Multi-day professional cycling competition (Tour de France) vs. Pre-season training period was evaluated on RMSSD (root mean square of the successive differences) in ms. During the Tour de France, the cyclist's RMSSD decreased to 46 ms compared to 96 ms during training, reflecting extreme cardiovascular load and potential functional overreaching.
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