Features of heart rate variability and autonomic reactivity to functional tests in highly skilled athletes

Aim. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the variation range and the specific characteristics of heart rate variability (HRV) and autonomic reactivity in highly skilled athletes from different sport categories (team, strength, cyclic) who exhibit a Type III heart rhythm regulation pattern. Materials and methods. The study involved highly skilled athletes (CMS, MS, MSIC, MMS) from different sports disciplines (team, strength, cyclic) during the preparatory period. ECG recording was performed using the portable cardiac module (ECG Dongle, Nordavind); HRV was processed using the Iskim 6.2 software (Ramena). Results. The highest activity of the parasympathetic nervous system and the autonomous regulatory circuit is characteristic of team sports with a mixed aerobic-anaerobic energy mechanism. The high potential of adaptive and reserve mechanisms in team athletes is confirmed by a significantly higher value of total spectral power, while their index of regulatory system stress is markedly reduced. Conclusion. HRV analysis based on the MxDMn fluctuation range enhances the predictive capabilities for assessing the functional state and the nature of adaptive and reserve capabilities in athletes with different types of energy supply.