Do heart rate variability is relationed to endurance performance in female futsal players?

A variabilidade da frequência cardíaca está relacionada ao desempenho de resistência em jogadoras de futsal?

abstract

The study aimed to verify the correlation between resting heart rate variability (HRV_rest) and endurance performance in female futsal players, as well as to evaluate the reliability of this parasympathetic autonomic marker. A total of 16 female futsal players (age: 22 ± 3 years; VO₂max: 42.3 ± 2.0 ml.kg^-1.min^-1) were evaluated during the first week of preseason training. Vagal modulation was evaluated from the HRV_rest (i.e., log-transformed root mean square of successive R-R interval differences - Ln-RMSSD) for two consecutive days, while endurance performance was evaluated by the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1). Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between the variables. Strong correlation between the HRV_rest index and endurance performance (r = 0.643; p = 0.007). Reliability was tested through the intraclass correlation coefficient, coefficient of variation (CV), and Bland-Altman analysis of the agreement. Furthermore, acceptable repeatability of HRV_rest, but with great inter-subject variability (ICC = 0.670, 95%CI = 0.056-0.885, CV = 15.8%). The current study demonstrated a strong correlation between Ln-RMSSD and endurance performance, and despite the acceptable values of intrasubject reliability, HRV_rest presented high inter-individual variability in female futsal players.

Key words:
Autonomic nervous system; Team sport; Sport performance