Investigation of the effects of heart rate variability biofeedback training on training recovery parameters

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the effect of 10 sessions of HRV BF training on recovery. Method: The research was conducted with 24 male football players whose age was 19.40 (± 1.49) years. Athletes who meet the research criteria were divided into 2 groups as Experiment (n = 12) and Control Group (n = 12). Anthropometric measurements of the experimental and control groups were taken in the pre-test. Then, a questionnaire for determining the level of doing sports and a competitive state anxiety inventory (CSAI-2) were applied. Their aerobic and anaerobic capacities were determined by applying Wingate and Astrand Rhyming tests. HRV measurement was recorded for 5 minutes before and after the Wingate and Astrand tests. After the pre-test, 10 sessions of HRV BF training was applied to the experimental group on their own frequencies. In the post-test, the procedure applied in the pre-test was repeated. Results: When the anxiety states of the participants and their aerobic and anaerobic capacity measurement values are examined, it is seen that there is no difference in the pre and post-test. When the values obtained from the resting and recovery periods of the Wingate and Astrand Rhyming tests in the pre-test of the groups participating in the study are examined, they are similar in terms of HRV parameters and respiration values. In the recovery period after aerobic exercise, there is a statistically significant difference in the pre-test and post-test values of the experimental group's SDNN, NN50, PNN50, RMSSD, LF, HF, Power Spectrum and mean respiration values. In the recovery period after anaerobic exercise; while a significant difference was observed in the SDNN, HF, average HR values of the control group; a statistically significant difference was observed in the LF, HF, LF / HF, average HR values of the experimental group. Conclusion: When the current study is examined, it can be said that regularly applied KAHD BF training shortens the HRV recovery time after exercise. Key words: heart rate variability, biological feedback, recovery