For instance, an athlete’s running speed at a lactate concentration of 2.5mmol/L-1 appears to be highly predictive of distance running performance at distance events such as the 10,000m and marathon(1). The point at which lactate begins to accumulate rapidly in the blood, causing an increase in ventilation is important to sport scientists because several studies have reported a strong correlation between these markers and endurance performance. The response of the physiological system is to increase ventilation (the total volume of gas being inspired and expired) to expel the carbon dioxide. As exercise intensity increases during the test, so does lactate and hydrogen ion production, and as the body attempts to ‘buffer’ the hydrogen, an increase in carbon dioxide occurs. VT and RCP are identified using cardiopulmonary gas analysis equipment, which continuously measures oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations and the flow of air inhaled and exhaled by athletes during exercise.

To identify these endurance markers, athletes normally undertake an incremental exercise test to volitional exhaustion, usually within, but not restricted to, an exercise physiology laboratory. The most frequently applied models are the ventilatory threshold (VT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP). In endurance sports, several ‘endurance markers’ are used to monitor athletes, assess the effects of training and determine training intensity. In this article Alan Ruddock provides further evidence for HRVA’s efficacy and gives a step-by-step guide for sportsmen and women who wish to use HRVA as a monitoring tool to enhance training response

Heart rate variability analysis (HRVA) is fast becoming a versatile instrument for athletes and coaches.

Heart rate analysis software