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Physical training increases heart rate variability in healthy prepubertal children.

PMID 12153547 (2002): heart rate variability, hrv — Recovery speed (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 11:13 PM

Study note • PMID 12153547

Physical training increases heart rate variability in healthy prepubertal children.

European journal of clinical investigation2002 • DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2362.2002.01017.x
Evidence D54/100
Action 3: Experiment carefully

Useful, but technique/population sensitive.

ELI5

In plain language

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an endurance training program on heart rate variability (HRV) in prepubertal healthy children and to determine… (controlled study; participants).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Recovery speed under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an endurance training program on heart rate variability (HRV) in prepubertal healthy children and to determine…
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Recovery speed under the tested conditions.
  • Population: participants.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 1 h • 5 h • 5 min • 80% HRmax.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: heart rate variability, hrv (vs control group).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 1 h • 5 h • 5 min • 80% HRmax.
  • Outcomes: Recovery speed.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (participants) working on monitoring.
  • Athletes who can measure Recovery speed with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: controlled study.
  • Population: participants.
  • Comparator: control group.
  • Outcomes measured: Recovery speed.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 1 h • 5 h • 5 min • 80% HRmax.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 12153547 (2002) — European journal of clinical investigation.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

V O(2max) increased significantly (+15.5% +/- 12.1; P < 0.01) after the training program.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations & bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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Sources