Monitoring Heart Rate Variability and Its Association with High-Intensity Running, Psychometric Status, and Training Load in Elite Female Soccer Players during Match Weeks

In order to maximize adaptations to reach high performance, sports coaches must regularly monitor the healing process following competitions or important training sessions and maintain psychometric status. As a result, the objective of this study was to track heart rate variability (HRV) in elite Spanish female soccer players during match weeks and examine its connection to high-intensity running, psychometric status, and training load. Changes in the nocturnal HRV measured along the square root of differences between adjacent RR intervals of 4 h (rMSSD 4 h) during the first phase of slow wave sleep (rMSSD 5 min), resting heart rate (RHR 4 h and RHR 5 min) were recorded with Firstbeat Bodyguard 2 (Firstbeat Technologies, Jyvaskyla, Finland). Training and match loads were recorded with rating perceived exertion and high-intensity running data by using a global positioning system (GPS) device (SPI-Pro X, GPSports). Ultimately, the psychometric test was recorded by a 5-item questionnaire, and all data were analyzed across three weeks of a competitive season. The day of the match found the lowest HRV, while the day following the match found a substantial (p < 0.01) rise in rMSSD 4 h and rMSSD 5 min. Similarly, these variables showed significant differences two days after the match. Similarly, these variables showed significant differences two days after the match. Furthermore, significant differences were found between the RHR 4 h and RHR 5 min (p < 0.01) and rMSSD 4 h and rMSSD 5 min (p < 0.05) and variables after two days with a higher training load. The results gathered from the psychometric tests, and the various HR markers showed significant associations. As a result, HRV, RHR, and psychometric assessments are probably sensitive to changes in load within a microcycle, providing a straightforward and non-invasive technique to assess changes in the recovery/fatigue status of top-level female soccer players.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in heart rate variability (HRV) in elite Spanish female soccer players during match weeks and explore its connection to high-intensity running, psychometric status, and training load. The results showed that HRV increased during the match and the day after, while higher training load was associated with changes in heart rate and psychometric status.