Compliance to training load and heart rate variability monitoring in young Swiss judokas

Abstract

Introduction: Assessment of exercise training load (TL) can identify mechanisms of fatigue and injury. At present, techniques to monitor TL in young athletes are lacking. Objectives: To examine the adherence to two monitoring techniques to assess TL among young judokas. Methods: Over a 10 week study period, TL was assessed by completion of a daily training log and by weekly measurement of heart rate variability (HRV). The satisfaction to HRV method was assessed by survey at study completion. Results: Among national caliber judokas (n=10, age 16 ± 2 y, weight 63 ± 5 kg, height 169 ± 8 cm,), training logs were completed at a 98 ± 5% rate, while HRV measurement was successful 57% ± 37%. HRV was comparable to young and athletic population. Difficulties in performing HRV measurements were rated 3.3 ± 1.9 (1: not constraining to 10: extremely constraining). Conclusion: Excellent adhesion for training diary completion was only possible with regular demands from coaches for ratings. Judo seems to enhance cardiac autonomic control in young national level athletes. HRV monitoring compliance was suboptimal among young judokas and opportunities for future improvement are suggested by our data.