Heart rate variability before and after knee surgery in amateur soccer players.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the consequences on heart rate variability (HRV) of a hospitalization period due to surgery of the knee in sportsmen.


METHODS
Ten soccer players who had undergone knee surgery took part in this study.


METHODS
HRV was measured before and after hospitalization within a 7-day interval.


RESULTS
After the hospitalization phase, heart rate at rest increased significantly (3 beats/minute). A significant decrease of 7% in the cardiac inter beat interval (R-R interval), P < 0.05 and a 66% decrease in total power spectral density: -66%, P < 0.05 were observed. The disturbance of the autonomic nervous system could be due to a variation in cardiac vagal activity resulting in a 64% decrease in the high frequencies (P < 0.05). This variation was not associated with a modification in normalized markers (LFn.u., HFn.u.) and LF/HF ratio (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In sportsmen, a hospitalization period led to an increase in resting heart rate and was associated with a disturbance of the autonomic nervous system.
Olivier
Nicolas
N
University of Lille 2, LEMH-EA 3608, France. oliviern@neuf.fr
Legrand
Renaud
R
Rogez
Jacques
J
Gamelin
F X
FX
Berthoin
Serge
S
Weissland
Thierry
T
D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*