Heart rate variability in university students engaged in competitive sports at the beginning of a training season

Abstract

Objective: to study heart rate variability in university students engaged in competitive sports at the beginning of a training season. Materials and Methods: the study summarizes the results of 141 participants. The study group consisted of 61 athletes (22.7±1.3 years), 31 men (22.3±1.3 years) and 30 women (23.1±2.1 years). The control group included 80 students not involved in sports (23.6±1.5 years), 34 men (23.7±1.5 years) and 46 women (23.6±1.5 years). Heart rate variability was assessed by a cardiointervalogramm registration in the background recording of rest for 5 minutes, as well as during an active orthostatic test. A spectral analysis of heart rate wave structure included registration HF, LF, VLF-components, LF/HF ration, and the total power of all waves – TP; complex indices were determined, namely the index of vegetative balance (AMO/SD index) and C30:15 coefficient. Results: we found higher level total spectrum power, parasympathetic activity and reactivity regulation in the study group. We revealed higher spectral indices, as well as C30:15 during active orthostatic tests in the group of athletes. HRV indices of male athletes are higher, both at rest and in orthostasis. HRV indices of female athletes significantly differed only in orthostasis, demonstrating a higher level of regulation. Conclusions: at the beginning of a training season, we found high level of regulatory indices in the functional state of competitive athletes, both male and female. A variety of significant differences in HRV in the studied groups can be used for a dynamic monitoring of changes in regulatory processes during the training cycle.