Physiological and psychometric variables for monitoring recovery during tapering for major competition

Purpose: This study attempted to identify variables that are useful in moni toring recovery during tapering. Methods: Changes in physiological variable s, tethered swimming force, mood stales, and self-ratings of well-being wer e measured in 10 elite swimmers from before to after 2 wk of tapering for n ational championships. Physiological measures included resting heart rate ( HR); blood pressure (BP); blood lactate concentration; red blood cell, whit e blood cell, and differential counts; and plasma cortisol, free testostero ne, and catecholamine concentrations. Measures taken after 100-m maximal an d 200-m standardized submaximal swims included HR, BP, and blood lactate co ncentration. Results: Step-down regression analysis showed that changes in plasma norepinephrine concentration, heart rate after maximal effort swimmi ng and confusion as measured by the Profile of Mood States (POMS) predicted the change in swimming time with tapering (r(2) = 0.98); the change in pla sma norepinephrine concentration predicted the change in swim time with tap ering (r(2) = 0.82) by itself. Conclusion: These data suggest that recovery after intense training can be monitored during tapering and that an accura te prediction of performance changes may be possible if the changes in a ra nge of physiological and psychological variables are measured.