title: Evidence of parasympathetic hyperactivity in functionally overreached athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We analyzed HR variability (HRV) to detect alterations in autonomic function that may be associated with functional overreaching (F-OR) in endurance athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one trained male triathletes were randomly assigned to either intensified training (n = 13) or normal training (n = 8) groups during 5 wk. HRV measures were taken daily during a 1-wk moderate training (baseline), a 3-wk overload training, and a 1-wk taper.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the subjects of the intensified training group demonstrated a decrease in maximal incremental running test performance at the end of the overload period (-9.0% ± 2.1% of baseline value) followed by a performance supercompensation after the taper and were therefore diagnosed as F-OR. According to a qualitative statistical analysis method, a likely to very likely negative effect of F-OR on HR was observed at rest in supine and standing positions, using isolated seventh-day values and weekly average values, respectively. When considering the values obtained once per week, no clear effect of F-OR on HRV parameters was found. In contrast, the weekly mean of each HRV parameter showed a larger change in indices of parasympathetic tone in the F-OR group than the control group in supine position (with a 96%/4%/0% chance to demonstrate a positive/trivial/negative effect on Ln RMSSD after the overload period; 77%/22%/1% on LnHF) and standing position [98%/1%/1% on Ln RMSSD; 99%/0%/1% on LnHF; 95%/1%/4% on Ln(LF + HF)]. During the taper, theses responses were reversed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using daily HRV recordings averaged over each week, this study detected a progressive increase in the parasympathetic modulation of HR in endurance athletes led to F-OR. It also revealed that due to a wide day-to-day variability, isolated, once per week HRV recordings may not detect training-induced autonomic modulations in F-OR athletes.
authors.affiliation: 1Laboratory of Sport, Expertise and Performance, National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance, Paris, FRANCE; 2Laboratory of Functional and Cellular Responses to Hypoxia, University Paris 13 North, Bobigny, FRANCE; 3Sports Medicine Program, Sports Performance Laboratory, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA; 4French National Ski Center, Prémanon, FRANCE; 5National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance, Medical Department, Paris, FRANCE; and 6CESeM, CNRS, University Paris Descartes, Paris, FRANCE.
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Le Meur
authors.forename: Aurélien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pichon
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schaal
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Louis
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gueneron
authors.forename: Pierre Paul
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hausswirth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult