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Evaluating training adaptation with heart-rate measures: a methodological comparison
Daniel J Plews1, Paul B Laursen, Andrew E Kilding
1High Performance Sport New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
|March 13, 2013
Summary
Averaging resting heart rate (RHR) and heart rate variability (HRV) over a week provides a more accurate assessment of training adaptation than single-day measurements. This method enhances the evaluation of performance improvements in athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Assessing training adaptation is crucial for optimizing athletic performance.
- Heart rate (HR)-derived indices, including resting HR (RHR) and HR variability (HRV), are commonly used to monitor physiological responses to training.
- Methodological variations in data collection, specifically daily versus weekly averaging, may impact the reliability of these indices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of single-day versus weekly averaged RHR and HRV measurements in evaluating training-induced adaptations.
- To determine the correlation between changes in running performance (maximum aerobic speed and 10-km time) and changes in RHR and HRV metrics.
- To identify the optimal methodological approach for assessing training status using HR-derived data.
Main Methods:
- Ten runners participated in a 9-week training intervention.
- Researchers measured RHR and HRV (Ln rMSSD) on a single day and averaged over a week.
- Changes in maximum aerobic speed (MAS) and 10-km running performance were correlated with changes in RHR and HRV metrics.
Main Results:
- Weekly averaged RHR and HRV (Ln rMSSD(week)) showed large to very large correlations with performance changes (MAS and 10-km time).
- Single-day RHR and HRV (Ln rMSSD(day)) exhibited only moderate to small correlations with performance improvements.
- The correlation between weekly averaged HRV (Ln rMSSD(week)) and 10-km performance was very large (r = -.76).
Conclusions:
- Averaging RHR and HRV values over a 1-week period is a more robust method for assessing positive training adaptation compared to single-day measurements.
- Weekly averaging enhances the reliability and validity of using HR-derived indices to monitor training responses and performance improvements in runners.
- This finding has practical implications for coaches and athletes in optimizing training monitoring strategies.
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