A high training load in judo athletes decreased vagal modulation and strength, while increasing stress markers and lowering recovery perception compared to a moderate training load (p ≤ 0.05).
RCT (n=14)
Randomized
Does a high training load compared to a moderate training load alter heart rate variability, stress, and recovery in male judo athletes?
High training loads in judo athletes lead to autonomic nervous system imbalance with decreased vagal modulation, reduced strength, and higher stress markers compared to moderate training loads.
p-value: p=≤ 0.05
The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of different judo training loads on heart rate variability (HRV) measurements, to determine if they can be used as valid indicators in monitoring stress and recovery in judo athletes. Fourteen male national-standard judo athletes were randomly divided into 2 groups, and each group followed a different type of training, namely, a high training load (HTL) and a moderate training load program (MTL). Data collection included HRV measurements, a Recovery Stress Questionnaire for athletes (RESTQ-SPORT), and strength measurements, 4 weeks before and after the training program. The HTL group had lower square root of the mean squared difference of successive RR intervals, very low frequency, high frequency, short-term variability, short-range scaling exponents, general recovery, sport-specific recovery, general stress, maximum strength, maximum power, and higher low/high frequency ratio at posttest compared with pretest (p ≤ 0.05). The HTL group showed lower short-range and long-range scaling exponents, general recovery, sport-specific recovery, and higher general stress than the MTL group in posttest measurements (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, judo athletes enrolled in an HTL program showed an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system with decreased vagal modulation, together with a decrease in strength parameters, higher markers for stress, and a lower perception of recovery.
Morales et al. (Tue,) conducted a rct in Stress and recovery in judo athletes (n=14). High training load (HTL) program vs. Moderate training load (MTL) program was evaluated on Heart rate variability (HRV), RESTQ-SPORT, and strength measurements (p=≤ 0.05). A high training load in judo athletes decreased vagal modulation and strength, while increasing stress markers and lowering recovery perception compared to a moderate training load (p ≤ 0.05).