Dynamic monitoring of functional status in athletes performing physical loads in vertical and horizontal planes with equivalent energy supply for muscle training

• Published in: Фізична реабілітація та рекреаційно-оздоровчі технології Vol. 10; no. 3; pp. 162 - 172
• Main Authors: Mykhaliuk, Yevhen, Horokhovskyi, Yehor, Bosenko, Anatolii, Khoroshukha, Mykhailo, Pavliuk, Oksana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture 30.06.2025
• Subjects: central hemodynamics; energy provision for training; heart rate variability; physical performance; runners; sports qualification; swimmers; training periods in sport
• ISSN: 2522-1906; 2522-1914; 2522-1914
• DOI: 10.15391/prrht.2025-10(3).03

Purpose. To dynamically monitor the functional state of athletes undergoing physical loads in vertical and horizontal planes with similar energy demands during the training cycle. Material & Methods. A total of 47 athletes were examined, including 27 runners at the 400 m distance and 20 swimmers at the 100 m distance in the preparatory and competition periods of the training process. Heart rate variability and central hemodynamics were measured using the automated diagnostic platform Cardio+. Physical performance was assessed on the Corival Lode cycle ergometer using the submaximal PWC170 test. Results. During the competitive season, runners exhibited a trend towards increased parasympathetic influence and decreased sympathovagal index. Significant decreases were found in heart rate and cardiac index, with a shift in circulation type from eukinetic to hypokinetic. Analysis of circulation type distribution revealed an increase in hypokinetic circulation and the elimination of hyperkinetic circulation. Physical performance significantly improved, with increases in PWC170/kg and physical fitness index. A negative correlation was observed between performance metrics and cardiac index during the preparatory period. Swimmers showed trends towards increased parasympathetic activity and decreased sympathetic activity, though these changes were not statistically significant. A trend towards decreased cardiac index was observed. Circulation type distribution shifted towards hypokinetic circulation. PWC170/kg and physical fitness index significantly increased. Highly-trained runners demonstrated significant decreases in cardiac index and increases in performance metrics during the competitive period. Negative correlations were found between performance metrics and cardiac index. No significant correlations were observed in lower-level athletes. Conclusions. During the competitive period, compared to the preparatory period, runners and swimmers exhibited a statistically significant increase in physical performance and an improved physical fitness index. Analysis of heart rate variability parameters, however, revealed no statistically significant differences. Correlation analysis revealed that, in the competition period, a decrease in cardiac index to a physiologically advantageous hypokinetic circulatory profile in runners was associated with increased physical performance, while in swimmers, it was associated with a shift in autonomic nervous system vegetative balance. A beneficial outcome of appropriate sports training is the enhancement of functional capacity within the body’s primary systems. This leads to improved athletic performance, as demonstrated by gains observed in runners and swimmers.