Summary
Systematic review of soccer players found that HRV parameters correlate with overtraining symptoms and can serve as an early warning marker before performance declines.
Methods
Systematic review of 19 studies on HRV and overtraining in soccer players
Key Findings
- Reduced RMSSD associated with fatigue and overreaching
- HRV decline often precedes performance decrements
- Sustained low HRV for 3-4 weeks may indicate overtraining syndrome
- Psychological symptoms (mood, sleep) often appear alongside HRV changes
Limitations
Soccer-specific findings may not generalize to all sports
What This Means for You
If your HRV drops and stays down for more than a week, take it seriously. Combined with fatigue, poor sleep, or mood changes, sustained low HRV suggests you need more recovery before hard training.
Source
Read the original paper in Physiological Reports ↗
Added to HRV Zone: 2025-01-07