Heart rate recovery and heart rate variability: use and relevance in European professional soccer

The study objectives are (1) to draw up an inventory of the use of heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) by European professional football clubs, and (2) to analyse these practices in relation with the scientific literature. A survey was filled by 137 clubs playing in the top European divisions. The survey had the aim of identifying the procedures for the use of HRR and HRV. Within respondents, 50% used HRR and 36% HRV; the 47% that do not use HRR deemed it to be of no interest and the 54% that do not use HRV deemed it too restrictive. A total of 28 and 24 procedures for the use of HRR and HRV were, respectively, identified. Resting HRV in the morning and after standardised submaximal exercise were the most represented, with the parasympathetic indices of HRV the most used. The use of HRR and HRV is not widespread or consensual. The lack of consensus noted here stresses the need to identify the procedures to better determine HRR and HRV, and to make them more practical for their use by the clubs for identifying facets of players’ recovery, readiness and adaptation during different phases of the season.