Investigation of Heart Rate Variability and Prediction of Success in Youth Ice Hockey

Introduction: heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is employed in sports practice to assess current functional state, adaptation potential, early identification of maladaptation and overtraining, and to optimize the physical training process. This method is rarely used for athlete success prediction, which is highly demanded in modern sports, hence the relevance of the present study. Objective: to explore heart rate variability indices in young hockey players and identify correlations between HRV parameters and athlete success. Materials and methods: the study included 15 hockey players, 15 years of age, currently undergoing training. HRV was assessed using the “Omega” software and hardware complex by recording a 5-minute cardiointervalogram at rest. Statistical and spectral HRV parameters were analyzed. Athlete success was evaluated based on overall match statistics. Results: 13 out of 15 (84.6%) athletes exhibited type III HRV regulation according to the N.I. Shlyk classification, with a predominant VLF component contributing the most to the total power (TP). Significant correlations were found between TP (0.61), VLF (0.65), and SDNN (0.53) HRV parameters and the integrated success index (points scored per game) (p<0.01). Conclusions: heart rate variability can be utilized for predicting functional readiness and success in upcoming hockey matches in young players based on comparative assessment of TP, VLF, and SDNN parameters.