By Ian Wynne
If we can reliably monitor the ‘stress’ load of an athlete at rest over a period of time we can make adjustments to the training loads in accordance to these fluctuations and help prevent over reaching in athletes. Thus reducing the chances of sickness or injury in a proactive rather than reactive manner. Ultimately, improving the effectiveness of the training programme. However, reliable monitoring of athlete health and wellbeing has been challenging. Coaches typically rely on subjective measures of well-being and readiness to train scores, with no direct measure of the athletes’ underlying physiology. Developments in technology have led to the ability to directly measure Cardiac Vagal Tone (CVT) (parasympathetic control on the heart via the Vagus nerve). The purpose of this case study is to investigate the use of the Pro-biometric CVT measuring device to monitor an athlete’s health and well-being. Further to, assess the device, as a tool to enhance understanding of training volume and intensity and it impact on recovery or capacity to train.
