Heart rate variability and overtraining in soccer players: A systematic review

Abstract This systematic review aims to determine if there is a correlation between heart rate variability (HRV) indices and overtraining symptoms (OTS) in soccer players. Conforming to PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted in February 2024 on Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and SCOPUS....

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Main Authors: Antoine Lipka, Chloé Luthardt, Teddy Tognaccioli, Beatrice Cairo, Raphael Martins de Abreu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Physiological Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70357
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author Antoine Lipka
Chloé Luthardt
Teddy Tognaccioli
Beatrice Cairo
Raphael Martins de Abreu
author_facet Antoine Lipka
Chloé Luthardt
Teddy Tognaccioli
Beatrice Cairo
Raphael Martins de Abreu
author_sort Antoine Lipka
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This systematic review aims to determine if there is a correlation between heart rate variability (HRV) indices and overtraining symptoms (OTS) in soccer players. Conforming to PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted in February 2024 on Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and SCOPUS. Studies published in English investigating the relationship between HRV parameters and OTS in adult soccer players (>18 years) were included. Accepted study designs were randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, longitudinal studies, prospective studies, cross‐sectional studies, and retrospective studies. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. The search identified 2041 articles, with 19 included postscreening. Most studies examined the correlation between HRV and OTS using linear indices. The average JBI checklist score was 6.3, indicating fair methodological quality. Thirteen studies showed a relationship between linear HRV parameters and OTS, linked to performance/clinical tests, training load, adaptation, fatigue, recovery, or hormonal markers. Thirteen correlations involved HRV frequency domain parameters, and 28 involved HRV time domain characteristics. HRV indexes were linked to OTS markers such as physical performance and psychological aspects in soccer players. Standardization in research methodologies, addressing confounding factors, and exploring additional indexes are crucial in the future.
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spelling doaj-art-7e62b609ed924d5592bd083d845c9cfe2025-08-20T04:27:55ZengWileyPhysiological Reports2051-817X2025-05-011310n/an/a10.14814/phy2.70357Heart rate variability and overtraining in soccer players: A systematic reviewAntoine Lipka0Chloé Luthardt1Teddy Tognaccioli2Beatrice Cairo3Raphael Martins de Abreu4Department of Health LUNEX University of Applied Sciences Differdange LuxembourgDepartment of Health LUNEX University of Applied Sciences Differdange LuxembourgDepartment of Health LUNEX University of Applied Sciences Differdange LuxembourgDepartment of Biomedical Sciences for Health University of Milan Milan ItalyDepartment of Health LUNEX University of Applied Sciences Differdange LuxembourgAbstract This systematic review aims to determine if there is a correlation between heart rate variability (HRV) indices and overtraining symptoms (OTS) in soccer players. Conforming to PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted in February 2024 on Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and SCOPUS. Studies published in English investigating the relationship between HRV parameters and OTS in adult soccer players (>18 years) were included. Accepted study designs were randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, longitudinal studies, prospective studies, cross‐sectional studies, and retrospective studies. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. The search identified 2041 articles, with 19 included postscreening. Most studies examined the correlation between HRV and OTS using linear indices. The average JBI checklist score was 6.3, indicating fair methodological quality. Thirteen studies showed a relationship between linear HRV parameters and OTS, linked to performance/clinical tests, training load, adaptation, fatigue, recovery, or hormonal markers. Thirteen correlations involved HRV frequency domain parameters, and 28 involved HRV time domain characteristics. HRV indexes were linked to OTS markers such as physical performance and psychological aspects in soccer players. Standardization in research methodologies, addressing confounding factors, and exploring additional indexes are crucial in the future.https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70357athletesautonomic nervous systemfootballsports medicine
spellingShingle Antoine Lipka
Chloé Luthardt
Teddy Tognaccioli
Beatrice Cairo
Raphael Martins de Abreu
Heart rate variability and overtraining in soccer players: A systematic review
Physiological Reports
athletes
autonomic nervous system
football
sports medicine
title Heart rate variability and overtraining in soccer players: A systematic review
title_full Heart rate variability and overtraining in soccer players: A systematic review
title_fullStr Heart rate variability and overtraining in soccer players: A systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Heart rate variability and overtraining in soccer players: A systematic review
title_short Heart rate variability and overtraining in soccer players: A systematic review
title_sort heart rate variability and overtraining in soccer players a systematic review
topic athletes
autonomic nervous system
football
sports medicine
url https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70357
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