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Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(3): 154-159
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1243221
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Endurance Performance and Nocturnal HRV Indices

A. Nummela1 , E. Hynynen1 , P. Kaikkonen1 , H. Rusko1 , 2
  • 1KIHU-Research Institute for Olympic Sports, Physiology, Jyväskylä, Finland
  • 2University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biology of Physical Activity and Neuromuscular Research Center, Jyväskylä, Finland
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision November 10, 2009

Publication Date:
17 December 2009 (online)

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Abstract

The effects of endurance training on endurance performance characteristics and cardiac autonomic modulation during night sleep were investigated. Twenty-four sedentary subjects trained over four weeks two hours per week at an average running intensity of 76±4% of their heart rate reserve. The R to R ECG-intervals were recorded and heart rate variability indices including high frequency power (HFP) were calculated for the nights following the training days every week. The subjects were divided into responders and non-responders according to the improvements in the maximal velocity of the incremental treadmill test (vmax). The responders improved their vmax by 10.9±46 % (p < 0.001) while no changes were observed in the non-responders (1.6±3.0%), although there were no differences in any training load variables between the groups. In the responders nocturnal HFP was significantly higher during the fourth training week compared to the first training week (p=0.036). Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the change in vmax and the change in nocturnal HFP (r=0.482, p=0.042). It was concluded that after similar training, an increase in cardiac vagal modulation was related to improved vmax in the sedentary subjects.

Key words

running - endurance training - autonomic nervous system

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Correspondence

Dr. Ari Nummela

Research Institute for olympic Sports

Rautpohjankatu 6

40700 Jyväskylä

Finland

Phone: +358405439217

Fax: +358207811501

Email: ari.nummela@kihu.fi