Monitoring heart rate, heart rate variability, and subsequent performance in team-sport athletes receiving hypoxic or normoxic repeated sprint training

Main Article Content

Michael J. Hamlin
Catherine A. Lizamore
Peter D. Olsen
Helen C. Marshall

Abstract

Repeated sprint training (RST) in hypoxia (RSH) is becoming more popular in team sport players owing to the potential for increases in high-intensity running performance without compromising power output during training. However, as the added hypoxic stimulus also increases training load, careful monitoring is needed to avoid overtraining. The frst objective of this study was to determine whether resting heart rate (RHR) and resting heart rate variability (HRV) measured following 3 weeks of training was able to detect the increased training load in the group receiving hypoxic training. A second objective was to determine whether RHR and HRV measured after 3 weeks of training were associated with post-training normoxic running performance. Amateur club rugby players completed 3 weeks of twice-weekly RST (cycling) in either hypoxia (RSH, n = 9; 20.3 ± 2.1 years; 77.1 ± 10.2 kg; 173.9 ± 4.9 cm; FIO2: 14.5%) or normoxia (RSN, n = 10; 22.0 ± 4.1 years, 88.3 ± 14.1 kg; 177.9 ± 5.4 cm, FIO2: 20.9%). Resting heart rate and HRV were monitored during normoxic rest immediately before each training session over the 3 week training period. Pre- and post-intervention aerobic endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 (YYIR1)) and repeated sprint ability (RSA, running) were used as performance variables before and after the training intervention. Compared to RSN, RSH demonstrated possibly lower HRV (natural log of the root mean square of successive difference, RMSSD): -8.5, ± 19.1% and standard deviation of N-N intervals: -11.5, ± 25.0%; percent change, ± 90% CL), and higher RHR (3.2, ± 4.7 bpm) post-intervention. Week 3 RHR and HRV demonstrated strong, statistically signifcant correlations with
post-intervention performances (YYIR1, RHR: -0.82, p-value = 0.02; RMSSD: r = 0.58, p-value = 0.17; low frequency: high frequency ratio (LF/HF): r = -0.85, p-value = 0.01; and RSA, RHR: r = 0.73, p-value = 0.06; RMSSD: r = -0.53,p-value = 0.22; LF/HF: r = 0.77, p-value = 0.05) in RSH, but not RSN. In conclusion, RHR and HRV were able to detect the increased training stimulus in hypoxic compared to normoxic repeated sprint training. In addition, RHR and HRV measured after 3 weeks of RSH were correlated with post-intervention performance whereby a lower RHR or increased HRV was associated with improved YYIR1 and RSA performance.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Hamlin MJ, Lizamore CA, Olsen PD, Marshall HC. Monitoring heart rate, heart rate variability, and subsequent performance in team-sport athletes receiving hypoxic or normoxic repeated sprint training. Arch AHS [Internet]. 2021 Apr. 23 [cited 2024 Mar. 19];33(1):9-18. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ams/article/view/245737
Section
Original article
Author Biography

Michael J. Hamlin, Lincoln University

Professor of Sport and Exercise Science

Director of Lincoln University Sport & Exercise Science Research Lab

Lincoln University Sports Scholarship Academic Coordinator

Chair of ESD Faculty Research Committee

FACSM, FECSS, FSSNZ

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