Uusitalo, A. L., Uusitalo, A. J., & Rusko, H. K. (1999). Heart rate and blood pressure variability during heavy training and overtraining in the female athlete. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 20, 45-53.

Young female athletes (N = 9) increased training volume (at an intensity of 70-90% VO2max) by 125% for 6-9 weeks. A corresponding increase in work-volume in control (N = 6) athletes was 5-10%.

VO2max did not change in either group. However, in five experimental athletes it decreased significantly. Heart rate factors were altered in various HR tests (supine and standing). The nature of observed changes were individual.

Implication. While HR characteristics change in overtrained states, the nature of the changes is not consistent between female athletes. VO2max is also reduced in some athletes. However, a universal pattern of responses to excessive training does not exist. Physiological reactions to overtraining are particularly individual.

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