In-Season Changes in Heart Rate Recovery Are Inversely Related to Time to Exhaustion but not Aerobic Capacity in Rowers.

To determine if in-season changes in heart rate recovery (HRR) are related to aerobic fitness and performance in collegiate rowers. Twenty-two female collegiate rowers completed testing before and after their competitive season. Body fat percentage (BF%) was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) and time to exhaustion (T-max) were determined during maximal rowing ergometer testing followed by 1minute of recovery. HRR was expressed absolutely and as a percentage of maximal HR (HRR%(1min)). Variables were compared using paired Wilcoxon tests. Multivariable regression models were used to predict in-season changes in HRR using changes in VO2max and T-max, while accounting for changes in BF%. From preseason to post-season, VO2max and BF% decreased (3.98 +/- 0.42 vs 3.78 +/- 0.35L/min, P=.002 and 23.8 +/- 3.4 vs 21.3 +/- 3.9%, P<.001, respectively), while T-max increased (11.7 +/- 1.3 vs 12.6 +/- 1.3min, P=.002), and HRR%(1min) increased (11.1 +/- 2.7 vs 13.8 +/- 3.8, P=.001). In-season changes in VO2max were not associated with HRR%(1min) (P>.05). In-season changes in T-max were related to changes in HRR%(1min) (=-1.67, P=.006). In-season changes in BF% were not related to changes in HRR (P>.05 for all). HRR1min and HRR%(1min) were faster preseason to post-season, although the changes were unrelated to VO2max. Faster HRR%(1min) post-season was inversely related to changes in T-max. This suggests that HRR should not be used as a measure of aerobic capacity in collegiate rowers, but is a promising measure of training status in this population.