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Study note

Effect of intensive training on heart rate variability in prepubertal swimmers.

PMID 16178879 (2005): heart rate variability, hrv — Recovery speed (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 16178879

Effect of intensive training on heart rate variability in prepubertal swimmers.

European journal of clinical investigation2005 • DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2005.01557.x

How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • Design signal: controlled study.
  • Population relevance: athlete/trained context.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

BACKGROUND: In children, there is very limited evidence focusing on the beneficial effect of exercise training on heart rate variability (HRV) during childhood. (controlled study; trained 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: In children, there is very limited evidence focusing on the beneficial effect of exercise training on heart rate variability (HRV) during childhood.
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Recovery speed under the tested conditions.
  • Population: trained participants.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 10 h • 6 min • 4 h.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: heart rate variability, hrv.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 10 h • 6 min • 4 h.
  • Outcomes: Recovery speed.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

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

Who should be cautious

  • 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: trained participants.
  • Outcomes measured: Recovery speed.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 10 h • 6 min • 4 h.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 16178879 (2005) — European journal of clinical investigation.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

No significant differences were obtained between groups for all frequency variables whatever the mode of expression (absolute in ms2, relative in Ln or %).

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

Limits

Limitations and 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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