Objective The aim was to meta-analyze the effect of different type of overloads on parasympathetic modulation to the heart, assessed by root-mean-square difference of successive normal RR intervals (RMSSD) of athletes. Methods The analysis of the 14 studies selected (20 subgroups within studies), compared RMSSD of the same athletes before and after an overload period. Results RMSSD of athletes were lower at pre-competition compared to baseline (SMD = -0.50 [-0.83; -0.18], p = 0.002), while volume, volume plus intensity and post-competition overloads showed similar RMSSD than their respective normal load periods. Conclusion The lower RMSSD during pre-competition overload, characterize an loss of homeostasis, and could be explained by the presence of pre-competition anxiety, stress, and higher psychological challenges in addition to the same physical stress present in the other types of overloads (i.e.: higher volume or training intensity).
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