Heart Rate Variability Dynamics in Padel Players: Set-by-Set and Rest Period Changes in Relation to Match Outcome

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Physiology
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity.
• Understanding ANS responses during competition is crucial for performance optimization.
• Padel, a dynamic sport, presents unique physiological demands on athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the evolution of heart rate variability (HRV) in high-level amateur padel players during official matches.
• To investigate the relationship between match outcome and HRV parameters throughout different match phases.
• To explore the temporal dynamics of autonomic regulation in relation to padel competition performance.

Main Methods:

• HRV was measured in 12 padel players across 11 matches.
• Measurements included pre-match, during sets (S1, S2, S3), and rest periods (R1, R2).
• Analyzed time-domain (Mean RR, SDNN, RMSSD, LnRMSSD) and nonlinear (SD1, SD2, SS, SNS/PNS ratio) HRV variables.

Main Results:

• Significant HRV fluctuations were observed throughout the matches.
• Winning players showed higher Mean RR, SDNN, RMSSD, LnRMSSD, SD1, and SD2 in S1 and R1 compared to losers.
• These outcome-related differences diminished in later match stages (S3, R2).

Conclusions:

• Match outcome in padel is associated with distinct cardiovascular regulation patterns, especially in the initial competition phases.
• Both winning and losing players exhibited parasympathetic recovery during rest periods.
• HRV monitoring can be a valuable tool for performance management in real-world padel competition settings.