Elite swimmers’ internal markers trajectories in ecological training conditions

Exploring the role of mindfulness in the stress-recovery balance: 10-Day monitoring of young BMX riders in an intensive training center during a pre-competition cycle

Considering mindfulness as a multidimensional disposition domain-specific skill and state, this study aimed to explore the effect of the dimensions of mindfulness on the trajectories of biopsychosocial stress-recovery balance and on HRV over 10 days of a pre-competitive cycle. 24 young BMX riders completed mindfulness disposition and domain-specific skill scales. Monitoring of the recovery-stress states was based on biopsychosocial measurements (daily and biweekly). RMSSD was used to assess the organism ability to cope with the training program stimulus. After each training session, riders self-rated their state of mindfulness. Multilevel growth curve analyses examined the linear and/or quadratic trajectories of the athletes' recovery-stress states and the effect of mindfulness on these trajectories. Mindfulness states results showed that the refocusing state had a significant negative quadratic effect over time on daily recovery and sport-specific recovery, and the awareness state on general recovery and total recovery. Concerning the dispositions of mindfulness, the observing component had a significant positive quadratic effect over time on daily stress. Nonreactivity had a significant positive quadratic effect over time on daily recovery and sport-specific recovery, and a significant positive effect on RMSSD. Acting with awareness had a significant positive effect on daily recovery and a significant negative effect on RMSSD. The study offered a better understanding of the effect of mindfulness (dispositions, domain-specific skills, and states) and its different components on the stress-recovery balance. The results suggest that mindfulness could be considered a promising effective psychological recovery strategy.

The use of heart rate variability in esports: A systematic review

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a psychophysiological measure of particular interest in esports due to its potential to monitor player self-regulation. This study aimed to systematically review the utilisation of HRV in esports. Consideration was given to the methodological and theoretical underpinnings of previous works to provide recommendations for future research. The protocol was made available on the Open Science Framework. Inclusion criteria were empirical studies, examining HRV in esports, using esports players, published in English. Exclusion criteria were non-peer-reviewed studies, populations with pre-existing clinical illness other than Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), opinion pieces or review papers. In November 2022 a search of Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCOHost identified seven studies using HRV in esports. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Narrative review identified two primary uses of HRV in esports; stress response and IGD. A lack of theoretical and methodological underpinning was identified as a major limitation of current literature. Further investigation is necessary before making recommendations regarding the use of HRV in esports. Future research should employ sound theoretical underpinning such as the use of vagally mediated HRV and the robust application of supporting methodological guidelines when investigating HRV in esports.

Asynchronous Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Protocol Effects on Adolescent Athletes' Cognitive Appraisals and Recovery-Stress States

This study examined the effect of an asynchronous heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BFBasync) protocol on national-level adolescent swimmers' cognitive appraisals and recovery-stress states during a six-week ecological training period. A polynomial mixed-effects multilevel regression analysis approach was used with 27 adolescent national-level swimmers randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 14) and a control group (n = 13). Six waves of assessments of cognitive appraisals and recovery-stress states were completed during six weeks of training preparation in ecological conditions. The results revealed that the HRV-BFBasync protocol significantly predicts lower levels of biopsychosocial stress states and cognitive stress. However, no significant effects were found for biopsychosocial recovery scales and cognitive perceived control. The results suggested that total stress states, sport-specific stress, and cognitive perceived stress evolutions are a function of polynomial time third-degree interactions with HRV-BFB protocol. Overall, this study suggested that the HRV-BFBasync protocol leads adolescent athletes to experience lower biopsychosocial and cognitive stress levels during training periodization. Our results also suggest that HRV-BFB induces complex evolutions over time for stress and recovery states but does not have a predictive function for the recovery states and perceived control.

Relationship Between Cognitive Appraisal of Control and Cardiac Vagal Regulation During an Unsupported Ski Crossing of Greenland

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between Perceived Control (PC) and Heart rate variability (HRV) during a 27-day expedition, during which an unsupported crossing was made from the west coast to the east coast of Greenland (across the Ice Sheet); and that therefore a high PC represents a favourable factor for recovery and stress management.

Methods

Four subjects participated in the study. PC was measured on alternated days in the evening at the end of the day, using the Pearlin Mastery Scale; and the next day, upon waking, heart rate using a wrist heart rate monitor and a chest strap. Together with the PC, the perceived effort was measured through the CR-100 Borg scale and each subject was asked to indicate the most emotionally significant event of the day.

Time and frequency domain indices for heart rate variability were calculated.

Results

Several correlations were observed between PC and HRV indices. In particular two indices in the time domain, standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN) (rrm = 0.51) and root mean square of successive (RMSSD) (rrm = 0.46), showed a significant and strong positive correlation.

Conclusion

The existence of a positive correlation between PC and cardiac vagal regulation is of great interest to individuals immerged into extreme situations, because it can affect performance or prevents maladaptive states or injuries. To improve stress management, it could be convenient for members of extreme expeditions to adopt forms of cognitive training that modify their cognitive appraisal in order to raise their perception of control.

Associations Between Heart Rate Variability-Derived Indexes and Training Load: Repeated Measures Correlation Approach Contribution

Davletyarova, K, Vacher, P, Nicolas, M, Kapilevich, LV, and Mourot, L. Associations between heart rate variability-derived indexes and training load: repeated measures correlation approach contribution. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-This study aimed to evaluate whether similar associations between indexes derived from heart rate variability (HRV) analyses and training load (TL) could be obtained by using the commonly used Pearson correlation technique and the repeated measures correlation (rmcorr). Fourteen well-trained swimmers (18.5 ± 1.6 years) participated. The training period lasted 4 weeks with a gradual increase in TL. Daily external TL (exTL) and internal TL (inTL) were summed to obtain a weekly TL, and HRV analyses were performed every Saturday morning. During the 4-week period, exTL and inTL increased (p < 0.05) together with a decrease (p < 0.05) in heart rate and an increase (p < 0.05) of cardiac parasympathetic indexes. No significant correlation was found using Pearson correlation while significant associations were found using rmcorr; considering exTL, positive (mean R-R interval [MeanRR], root mean square of differences between successive RR interval [RMSSD], low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], instantaneous beat-to-beat variability [SD1], continuous beat-to-beat variability [SD2], SD1/SD2; r from 0.59 to 0.46, p value from <0.001 to 0.002) and negative (mean heart rate [meanHR]; r = -0.55, p < 0.001) associations were found. Considering inTL, positive (MeanRR, RMSSD, LF, HF, HFnu, SD1, SD2, SD1/SD2; r from 0.56 to 0.34, p-value from <0.001 to 0.025) and negative (meanHR, LFnu, LF/HF; r from -0.49 to -0.34, p value from 0.001 to 0.025) associations were found. The rmcorr statistical method was able to show associations between parasympathetic indexes and TL contrary to Pearson correlation analysis. Because rmcorr is specifically designed to investigate within-individual association for paired measures assessed on 2 or more occasions for multiple individuals, it should constitute a tool for future training monitoring researches based on a repeated-measures protocol.

Time courses of emotions experienced after a mountain ultra-marathon: Does emotional intelligence matter?

This research examined the time courses of emotions in sport settings (anxiety, dejection, anger, happiness, excitement) experienced by mountain ultra-marathon (MUM) runners within the month following a demanding MUM race and the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in these time courses. A six-wave one-month longitudinal design was used with one measurement point within two days before the race to measure EI and five time points within the month following the race to assess emotions experienced among a sample of 29 runners. Results of multilevel growth curve analyses showed significant linear decreases of dejection and anxiety and a significant linear increase of anger. EI was related to the intercept (level at the end of the MUM race) of happiness, excitement and dejection. Moreover the interaction of EI with time was associated with happiness, excitement and anger. This means that high and low emotional intelligent runners exhibited distinct trajectories of emotional intelligence within the month following the MUM race. Indeed, trait-EI appeared to have a protective role against stress process leading to emotional adjustment within the recovery period following an ultra-endurance event. As such, consultants and coaches could conduct specific program over the sport season designed to enhance trait-EI of MUM runners.