Relationships between Workload, Heart Rate Variability, and Performance in a Recreational Endurance Runner

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• The relationship between heart rate variability (HRV), training load (TL), and athletic performance requires further elucidation.
• Recreational runners often lack clear guidance on monitoring physiological responses to training.

Observation:

• A 20-week study monitored a recreational female runner, measuring workload parameters (volume, sRPE, TL, monotony) and HRV metrics (RMSSD, RMSSDcv, RMSSD:RR ratio).
• Specific mesocycle patterns were analyzed alongside performance metrics (10 km and 21 km times).

Findings:

• Significant increases in RMSSD and RMSSD:RR ratio were observed during the second mesocycle (M2), alongside a reduction in RR intervals.
• Monotony correlated significantly with training volume, RR intervals, and the RMSSD:RR ratio.
• A notable decrease in RMSSD preceded the onset of influenza symptoms, suggesting HRV's sensitivity to health status.

Implications:

• Concurrent monitoring of HRV and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) is practical for recreational runners.
• The RMSSD:RR ratio serves as an indicator of training adaptation.
• Excessive training volume may negatively impact HRV and performance, highlighting the need for individualized periodization based on mesocycle patterns.