Vol 12, Issue 2

Effects of a Competitive Season on Autonomic Heart Rate Modulation in Field Soccer Athletes

February 15, 2019 - By 

Authors

JOÃO MARCELO DE QUEIROZ MIRANDA, Cidade de São Paulo University
Adriano Maia
Roberta L. Rica, Estacio de Sá University
Welmo A. Barbosa, Federal University of Espirito Santo
Alana De Sena Souza
MARCO BERGAMIN, Federal University of Espirito Santo
Vitor E. Valenti, Paulista State University
Julien S. Baker, West of Scotland University
Guilherme L. Shimojo, Estacio de Sá University
Jonato Prestes, Catholic University of Brasilia
WHITLEY J. STONE, Western Kentucky University
Danilo Sales Bocalini, Federal University of Espirito Santo
ROGÉRIO BRANDÃO WICHI, Federal University of Sergipe
International Journal of Exercise Science 12(2): 1198-1205, 2019. 
DOI: 10.70252/DZOI4036

Abstract

The physical demands of soccer combined with the rigor of the competitive season may have a substantial impact on autonomic modulation in field soccer athletes. The number of sudden death cases associated with soccer may be related to the physical training required to maintain performance and fitness, minimal time for recovery, and recurrent game participation. It is possible to identify individuals at risk of cardiovascular events by measuring heart rate variability (HRV), which is an indirect method for assessing autonomic activity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze HRV before and after a period of field soccer competition. We evaluated 17 healthy male professional field soccer athletes and 12 untrained controls. The HRV was analyzed during supine rest before and after a period of field soccer competition. The following parameters were evaluated: interval R wave variation (RR), standard deviation of normal–normal intervals (SDNN), Root-mean-square successive difference (RMSSD), low frequency component (LF), high-frequency component (HF) and sympathovagal balance (LF/HF). Results indicated that the RR (p< .05, ES: 2.77), SDNN (p < .05, ES: 1.70), LF (p< .05, ES: 1.86), HF (pp< .05, ES: 0.89) all decreased after the competition in the professional athletes with no change observed in the control group. In conclusion, the data suggest that a soccer competition negatively influences the autonomic regulation of heart rate.

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