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Study note

Heart-rate variability and training-intensity distribution in elite rowers.

PMID 24700160 (2014): heart, rate — Recovery speed (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 24700160

Heart-rate variability and training-intensity distribution in elite rowers.

International journal of sports physiology and performance2014 • DOI 10.1123/ijspp.2013-0497

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

Elite endurance athletes may train in a polarized fashion, such that their training-intensity distribution preserves autonomic balance. (controlled study; elite athletes).

The abstract reports an association involving Recovery speed (not necessarily causation). Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: Elite endurance athletes may train in a polarized fashion, such that their training-intensity distribution preserves autonomic balance.
  • The abstract reports an association involving Recovery speed (not necessarily causation).
  • Population: elite athletes.
  • Protocol cues: abstract may omit dose/timing; use the full paper to replicate accurately.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: heart, rate (vs comparison group).
  • Dose/time/duration: abstract doesn’t include enough detail; use the full paper’s methods section.
  • 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 (elite athletes) 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: elite athletes.
  • Comparator: comparison group.
  • Outcomes measured: Recovery speed.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 24700160 (2014) — International journal of sports physiology and performance.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Correlations (+/- 90% confidence limits) for Ln rMSSD were small vs TTT (r = .37 +/- .80), moderate vs time <LT(1) (r = .43 +/- .10), unclear vs LT(1)-LT(2) (r = .01 +/- .17), and small vs >LT2 (r = -.22 +/- .50).

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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Sources