HRV DFAa1 for fatigue detection

🧬 Can heart rate variability track training load or fatigue?
This study investigated DFA α1—a non-linear HRV marker—during steady-state cycling to explore its sensitivity to exercise duration and internal load.

👨‍🔬 Methods:
Fifteen recreationally active participants completed 20- and 40-minute constant-load cycling tests 🚴‍♂️, each followed by a fatigue trial. DFA α1 was measured continuously and at a fixed moderate intensity before and after each session.

📉 Results:

  • DFA α1 significantly decreased with longer exercise duration ⏱️

  • Performance and internal training load showed greater declines after the 40-minute test

  • No correlation was found between DFA α1 and acute performance decrement or training load metrics ❌

  • DFA α1 demonstrated good repeatability across sessions âś…

🔎 Conclusion: DFA α1 is sensitive to exercise duration but does not reflect acute fatigue or training load, suggesting further refinement is needed for practical training monitoring.

#ExercisePhysiology #HRV #DFAa1 #TrainingLoad #Fatigue #SportsScience

Full Article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40540061/