A competitive rugby game significantly reduced parasympathetic modulation and the supine to standing change in HRV (LF/HF ratio -1.0 vs -3.0) for up to 4 days post-game (p<0.05).
Observational (n=9)
Does a training week including a competitive game alter heart rate variability in elite youth rugby league players?
Monitoring day-to-day fluctuations in heart rate variability may provide a useful tool for tracking player workload and autonomic recovery in elite youth rugby players.
Absolute Event Rate: -1% vs -3%
p-value: p=<0.05
The aim of this study was to examine the influence of weekly training including a competitive game on heart rate (HR) variability (HRV). Youth players (n=9, age 17-20 years) were monitored during daily supine rest (10 min) and standing (8 min), 5 times over 8 days. Heart rate recordings were analysed for time domain, frequency (e. g. low frequency LF, high frequency HF) domain and non-linear measures of HRV and compared using ANOVA or Friedman's tests. Relationships between HRV and training workloads were examined via Spearman rank rho (ρ) correlation coefficients. Prior to a game, mean HR was significantly increased and remained elevated until 2 days post-game while parasympathetic modulations (HF) were significantly reduced (p<0.05). The supine to standing change in HRV was significantly reduced for up to 4 days post-game (LF/HF ratio, - 1.0±2.9 vs. - 3.0±1.9, p<0.05). These results confirm that prior to a game, players exhibited reduced parasympathetic and/or predominant sympathetic modulation with the game significantly reducing autonomic responses to standing for up to the following 4 days. Identification of day to day fluctuations in HRV may provide a helpful tool for monitoring player workload to maximise training and game performance.
Edmonds et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Elite youth rugby league players (n=9). Weekly training including a competitive game vs. Pre-game baseline was evaluated on Supine to standing change in HRV (LF/HF ratio) (p=<0.05). A competitive rugby game significantly reduced parasympathetic modulation and the supine to standing change in HRV (LF/HF ratio -1.0 vs -3.0) for up to 4 days post-game (p<0.05).