Top

Published in:

01-02-2010 | Original Article

Can HRV be used to evaluate training load in constant load exercises?

Authors: Piia Kaikkonen, Esa Hynynen, Theresa Mann, Heikki Rusko, Ari Nummela

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 3/2010

Abstract

The overload principle of training states that training load (TL) must be sufficient to threaten the homeostasis of cells, tissues, organs, and/or body. However, there is no “golden standard” for TL measurement. The aim of this study was to examine if any post-exercise heart rate variability (HRV) indices could be used to evaluate TL in exercises with different intensities and durations. Thirteen endurance-trained males (35 ± 5 year) performed MODE (moderate intensity, 3 km at 60% of the maximal velocity of the graded maximal test (vVO_2max)), HI (high intensity, 3 km at 85% vVO_2max), and PRO (prolonged, 14 km at 60% vVO_2max) exercises on a treadmill. HRV was analyzed with short-time Fourier-transform method during rest, exercise, and 15-min recovery. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate (BLa), and HFP₁₂₀ (mean of 0–120 s post-exercise) described TL of these exercises similarly, being different for HI (P < 0.05) and PRO (P < 0.05) when compared with MODE. RPE and BLa also correlated negatively with HFP₁₂₀ (r = −0.604, −0.401), LFP₁₂₀ (−0.634, −0.601), and TP₁₂₀ (−0.691, −0.569). HRV recovery dynamics were similar after each exercise, but the level of HRV was lower after HI than MODE. Increased intensity or duration of exercise decreased immediate HRV recovery, suggesting that post-exercise HRV may enable an objective evaluation of TL in field conditions. The first 2-min recovery seems to give enough information on HRV recovery for evaluating TL.

American College of Sports Medicine (2006) ACSM’s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription, 7th edn. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp 19–35

Arai Y, Saul J, Albrecht P, Hartley L, Lilly L, Cohen R, Colucci W (1989) Modulation of cardiac autonomic activity during and immediately after exercise. Am J Physiol 256:H132–H141PubMed

Aunola S, Rusko H (1984) Reproducibility of aerobic and anaerobic thresholds on 20–50 year old men. Eur J Appl Physiol 53:260–266CrossRef

Banister E (1991) Modelling elite athletic performance. In: MacDougall JD, Wenger HA, Green HJ (eds) Physiological testing of the high-performance athlete, 2nd edn. Human Kinetics Publishers Ltd, Champaign, pp 403–424

Berntson G, Cacioppo J, Quigley K (1993) Respiratory sinus arrhythmia: autonomic origins, physiological mechanisms, and psychophysiological implications. Psychophysiology 30:183–196CrossRefPubMed

Borg G (1982) Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 14:377–381PubMed

Børsheim E, Bahr R (2003) Effect of exercise intensity, duration and mode on post-exercise oxygen consumption. Sports Med 33:1037–1060CrossRefPubMed

Buchheit M, Laursen P, Ahmaidi S (2007) Parasympathetic reactivation after repeated sprint exercise. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 293:H133–H141CrossRefPubMed

Casties J-F, Mottet D, Le Gallais D (2006) Non-linear analysis of heart rate variability during heavy exercise and recovery in cyclists. Int J Sports Med 27:780–785CrossRefPubMed

Cole C, Blackstone E, Pashkow F, Snader C, Lauer M (1999) Heart-rate recovery immediately after exercise is a predictor of mortality. N Engl J Med 341:1351–1357CrossRefPubMed

Foster C (1998) Monitoring training in athletes with reference to overtraining syndrome. Med Sci Sports Exerc 30:1164–1168CrossRefPubMed

Goldberger J, Le F, Lahiri M, Kannankeril P, Ng J, Kadish A (2006) Assessment of parasympathetic reactivation after exercise. Am J Physiol 290:2446–2452

Gore C, Withers R (1990) The effect of exercise intensity and duration on the oxygen deficit and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. Eur J Appl Physiol 60:169–174CrossRef

Kaikkonen P, Nummela A, Rusko H (2007) Heart rate variability dynamics during early recovery after different endurance exercises. Eur J Appl Physiol 102:79–86CrossRefPubMed

Kaikkonen P, Rusko H, Martinmäki K (2008) Post-exercise heart rate variability of endurance athletes after different high-intensity exercises. Scand J Med Sci Sports 18:511–519PubMedCrossRef

Keselbrener L, Akselrod S (1996) Selective discrete Fourier transform algorithm for time-frequency analysis: method and application on simulated and cardiovascular signals. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 43:789–802CrossRefPubMed

Martinmäki K, Rusko H (2008) Time-frequency analysis of heart rate variability during immediate recovery from low and high intensity exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 102:353–360CrossRefPubMed

Martinmäki K, Rusko H, Saalasti S, Kettunen J (2006) Ability of short-time Fourier Transform to detect transient changes in vagal effects on hearts: a pharmacological blocking study. Am J Physiol 290:2582–2589

Miles D, Sawka M, Hanpeter D, Foster J, Doerr B, Basset Frey M (1984) Central hemodynamics during progressive upper and lower body exercise and recovery. J Appl Physiol 57:366–370PubMed

Noble B (1982) Clinical applications of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 14:406–411PubMed

O’Leary D (1993) Autonomic mechanisms of muscle metaboreflex control of heart rate. J Appl Physiol 74:1748–1754PubMed

Oida E, Moritani T, Yamori Y (1997) Tone-entropy analysis on cardiac recovery after dynamic exercise. J Appl Physiol 82:1794–1801PubMed

Perini R, Orizio C, Comandè A, Castellano M, Beschi M, Veicsteinas A (1989) Plasma norepinephrine and heart rate dynamics during recovery from submaximal exercise in man. Eur J Appl Physiol 58:879–883CrossRef

Pichon A, De Bisschop C, Roulaud M, Denjean A, Papelier Y (2004) Spectral analysis of heart rate variability during exercise in trained subjects. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36:1702–1708CrossRefPubMed

Pierpont G, Stolpman D, Gornick C (2000) Heart rate recovery post-exercise as an index of parasympathetic activity. J Auton Nerv Syst 80:169–174CrossRefPubMed

Plotnick C, Becker L, Fisher M (1986) Changes in left ventricular function during recovery from upright bicycle exercise in normal persons and patients with coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol 58:247–251CrossRefPubMed

Porges S (1992) Vagal tone: a physiologic marker of stress vulnerability. Pediatrics 90:498–504PubMed

Savin W, Davidson D, Haskell W (1982) Autonomic contribution to heart rate recovery from exercise in humans. J Appl Physiol 53:1572–1575PubMed

Seiler S, Haugen O, Kuffel E (2007) Autonomic recovery after exercise in trained athletes: intensity and duration effects. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:1366–1373CrossRefPubMed

Skinner J, Hustler R, Bergsteinova V, Buskirk E (1973) The validity and reliability of a rating scale of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports 5:97–103

Title: Can HRV be used to evaluate training load in constant load exercises?
Authors: Piia Kaikkonen
Esa Hynynen
Theresa Mann
Heikki Rusko
Ari Nummela
Publication date: 01-02-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1240-1

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Can HRV be used to evaluate training load in constant load exercises?

Abstract

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 3/2010

Influence of nonthermal baroreceptor modulation of heat loss responses during uncompensable heat stress

Electrophysiological correlates of cognition improve with nap during sleep deprivation

The effects of performing isometric training at two exercise intensities in healthy young males

β-Alanine supplementation reduces acidosis but not oxygen uptake response during high-intensity cycling exercise

Effects of altered muscle temperature on neuromuscular properties in young and older women

Hyperbaric oxygenation alleviates MCAO-induced brain injury and reduces hydroxyl radical formation and glutamate release