Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000;32: 1480â1484. 4- Uusitalo A, Uusitalo AJ, Rusko H. Exhaustive endurance training for 6-9 weeks did not induce changes in intrinsic ...
Cardiac autonomic imbalance in a nonfunctional overreached professional soccer player (case study) Javier J. Vilamitjana1, Néstor A. Lentini1, Mario F. Pérez Jr.2, Pablo E. Verde3 1
2
CENARD (National Sport High Performance Center), Bs As, Argentina. Al Wasl FC, Dubai, UAE. 3 Faculty of Medicine of Duesseldorf University, Duesseldorf, Germany.
PURPOSE In order to investigate nonfunctional overreaching (NF-OR) related adaptations in the autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability (HRV) was examined in a professional soccer player (age: 29 years; weight: 77.4 kg; height: 177 cm; adiposity: 12.1 %) who presented with reduced performance in competitions (one month), frequent muscular fatigue during some training sessions (same period), and finally getting upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). METHODS Power spectral analysis of HRV was performed once a week before, at NF-OR state, and after recovery (REC), during a competitive period (7 month follow-up). Short-term recordings (5 minutes) were made with a Polar RS800CX heart rate monitor in two positions: supine (S) and 90° head-up tilt (T), immediately after awakening (match day morning). Suitable normal–normal periods were then elected for analysis to determine the root-mean-square difference of successive normal R-R intervals (RMSSD). LF/HF ratio in S and T positions were calculated and the quotient between LF/HF ratios in position T and S was obtained as final LF/HF ratio (F LF/HF r). Mean HR was also analyzed. Seven players from same team and with normal performances during the season were used as a control group (age: 26.6 ± 3.1 years; weight: 73.2 ± 6 kg; height: 176.7 ± 10 cm; adiposity: 12.9 ± 1.6 %). The typical 95% confidence interval (CI) in every HRV parameter was calculated in this group. To be diagnosed as NF-OR, the subject (case study) had to reveal a difference from the lower (CI-) or the higher limit (CI+) of the 95% CI reported in the control group. Values are expressed as mean ± SD and CI. RESULTS LF/HF ratio in tilt position during NF-OR state was substantial different in comparison with control subjects (0.26 ± 0.62 vs. 2.03 ± 1.25, 1.1 CI-), with RMSSD prevalence in S (107.6 ± 20.2 vs. 74.6 ± 23.8 ms, 56.9 CI+) and T (140.3 ± 15.3 vs. 61.6 ± 21.6 ms, 45.6 CI+). According with this phenomenon, resting HR was lower than the control group in S (45.3 ± 1.7 vs. 55.7 ± 6.5 bpm, 50.9 CI-) and T (48.2 ± 2.4 vs. 59.8 ± 9.1 bpm, 53.1 CI-) and returned to baseline in REC (48.2 ± 0.3 bpm and 56.8 ± 0.6 bpm, respectively). F LF/HF r was even more prominent and clearly lower than in any control subject (0.24 ± 0.35 vs. 2.49 ± 1.15, 1.64 CI-), and it was reversed in REC (4.43 ± 0.74). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest a sympatho-vagal imbalance with extensive parasympathetic modulation in this player with over-reached state. Relevant increase of RMSSD and decrease of F LF/HF ratio reflects alterations in autonomic function and it could be important to have into account when a complete recovery is essential to prevent overtraining syndrome.
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