Heart Rate Variability in an Elite Female Alpine Skier: a Case Study

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to assess the heart rate variability (HRV) during off-snow and on-snow training in an elite female alpine ski racer. Methods. Using a case study design, a single elite female alpine ski racer (25 years old; 175.6 cm; 69.9 kg) was recruited from the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. Training load was obtained using the sessional rating of perceived exertion method (sRPE), and a weekly sum was calculated using all training loads in a calendar week. Resting heart rate was recorded upon waking using a heart rate monitor. HRV was calculated using the natural logarithms of the root mean square of the successive differences of R-R intervals (lnRMSSD), and the coefficient of variation of lnRMSSD (lnRMSSDCV) with smallest worthwhile change (SWC). Compliance was 19.53%. Results. An inverse relationship was identified between the extreme values for lnRMSSD and sRPE. Daily lnRMSSDCV found two time-points that were significantly greater than SWC. The regression analysis of daily lnRMSSDCV over time had a positive slope of 0.001 (R = 0.0029). Three major depressions in lnRMSSD were observed over the recording period and two coincided with peak sRPE. The largest depression occurred on the same day the subject sustained a shoulder dislocation during a routine strength training session. The subject maintained training status over the training period but it was not predictive of future performance. Conclusion. In this case study, the low compliance limited the ability to identify possible relationships; however periods of functional overreach were identifiable.