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Monitoring changes in physical performance with heart rate measures in young soccer players

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to verify the validity of using exercise heart rate (HRex), HR recovery (HRR) and post-exercise HR variability (HRV) during and after a submaximal running test to predict changes in physical performance over an entire competitive season in highly trained young soccer players. Sixty-five complete data sets were analyzed comparing two consecutive testing sessions (3–4 months apart) collected on 46 players (age 15.1 ± 1.5 years). Physical performance tests included a 5-min run at 9 km h−1 followed by a seated 5-min recovery period to measure HRex, HRR and HRV, a counter movement jump, acceleration and maximal sprinting speed obtained during a 40-m sprint with 10-m splits, repeated-sprint performance and an incremental running test to estimate maximal cardiorespiratory function (end test velocity V Vam-Eval). Possible changes in physical performance were examined for the players presenting a substantial change in HR measures over two consecutive testing sessions (greater than 3, 13 and 10% for HRex, HRR and HRV, respectively). A decrease in HRex or increase in HRV was associated with likely improvements in V Vam-Eval; opposite changes led to unclear changes in V Vam-Eval. Moderate relationships were also found between individual changes in HRR and sprint [r = 0.39, 90% CL (0.07;0.64)] and repeated-sprint performance [r = −0.38 (−0.05;−0.64)]. To conclude, while monitoring HRex and HRV was effective in tracking improvements in V Vam-Eval, changes in HRR were moderately associated with changes in (repeated-)sprint performance. The present data also question the use of HRex and HRV as systematic markers of physical performance decrements in youth soccer players.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physiology Unit, Sport Science Department, ASPIRE Academy for Sports Excellence, P.O. Box 22287, Doha, Qatar

    M. Buchheit, M. B. Simpson, H. Al Haddad, P. C. Bourdon & A. Mendez-Villanueva

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  1. M. Buchheit
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  2. M. B. Simpson
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  3. H. Al Haddad
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  4. P. C. Bourdon
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  5. A. Mendez-Villanueva
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Correspondence to M. Buchheit.

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Communicated by Jean-René Lacour.

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Buchheit, M., Simpson, M.B., Al Haddad, H. et al. Monitoring changes in physical performance with heart rate measures in young soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol 112, 711–723 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2014-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2014-0

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