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Int J Sports Med 2018; 39(10): 773-781
DOI: 10.1055/a-0577-4429
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Influence of Training Load and Altitude on Heart Rate Variability Fatigue Patterns in Elite Nordic Skiers

Laurent Schmitt
1   National Centre of Nordic-Ski, Resarch and Performance, Premanon, France
,
Jacques Regnard
2   Université de Franche-Comté, Research unit EA3920, Prognostic markers and control factors in cardiovascular pathologies, Besançon, France
,
Nicolas Coulmy
3   Federation Francaise de Ski, Research, Annecy, France
,
Gregoire P. Millet
4   University of Lausanne, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (ISSEP), Sport Sciences, Lausanne, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 06 February 2018

Publication Date:
14 June 2018 (online)

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Abstract

We aimed to analyse the relationship between training load/intensity and different heart rate variability (HRV) fatigue patterns in 57 elite Nordic-skiers. 1063 HRV tests were performed during 5 years. R-R intervals were recorded in resting supine (SU) and standing (ST) positions. Heart rate, low (LF), high (HF) frequency powers of HRV were determined. Training volume, training load (TL, a.u.) according to ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1) and VT2 were measured in zones I≤VT1; VT1<II≤VT2; III>VT2, IV for strength. TL was performed at 81.6±3.5% in zone I, 0.9±0.9% in zone II, 5.0±3.6% in zone III, 11.6±6.3% in zone IV. 172 HRV tests matched a fatigue state and four HRV fatigue patterns (F) were statistically characterized as F(HF-LF-)SU_ST for 121 tests, F(LF+SULF-ST) for 18 tests, F(HF-SUHF+ST) for 26 tests and F(HF+SU) for 7 tests. The occurrence of fatigue states increased substantially with the part of altitude training time (r2=0.52, p<0.001). This study evidenced that there is no causal relationship between training load/intensity and HRV fatigue patterns. Four fatigue-shifted HRV patterns were sorted. Altitude training periods appeared critical as they are likely to increase the overreaching risks.

Key word

heart rate variability - fatigue - training load - endurance training - altitude training
 

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