Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Young Athletes of a School of Оlympic Reserve

Abstract

Objective: to study the parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) and autonomic reactivity in response to an orthostatic test in young athletes of a school of Olympic Reserve.

Material and methods. The mathematical and spectral methods of the HRV analysis with the application of the 12-channel electrocardiograph «Poly-Spectrum-8» were used for the evaluation of vegetative tone, autonomic support, and autonomic reactivity.

Results. Statistically significant differences in the activity of the ANS were revealed in the examined athletes with aerobic and anaerobic types of physical exercise during their one-year training. In response to the orthostatic exposure in the athletes doing aerobic exercise, the sympathetic department of regulation is activated and centralization of the control over the heart rhythm is strengthened. In the young athletes involved in high-speed power sports, the vegetative reactivity is characterized by a higher degree of activation of humoral-metabolic regulation mechanisms than in the athletes specializing in endurance sports.

Conclusion. The study of the HRV parameters and analysis of autonomic reactivity in response to the orthostatic test in the young athletes of the school of Olympic Reserve during the preparatory and competitive periods make it possible to apply an individual approach to the training process taking into account the prevailing type of autonomic regulation and autonomic reactivity, which contributes to an elevated level of the functional readiness of the athletes for training activities.