Schultz, J., Hartmann, U., Platen, P., Grabow, V., Wostmann, R., Nie, M., Bartmus, U., & Heck, H. (2001). Training load has little influence on sleeping heart rate. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 750.

Four distance runners were monitored over a competitive season to assess the influence of training load on sleeping heart rate (SHR). Training loads were categorized into six levels using a treadmill test as a comparative basis.

Individual variability was very high. Training load was not related to SHR in three of the four athletes.

Implication. Sleeping heart rate is not a viable marker for reveling training load reactions.

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