MUSIC RUINED THE VIDEO BREAKDOWN ➡️➡️➡️ GO TO STORY This study tracked resting heart rate variability (HRV) across a 5-day rotation using lnRMSSD, a key marker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. ➡️ Day 2 HRV was significantly suppressed, suggesting elevated sympathetic tone and reduced parasympathetic recovery. ➡️ By Day 3, HRV returned to baseline in most pitchers—implying ~48 hours for full autonomic recovery post-start. ➡️ No pitcher-by-day interaction, showing the Day 2 dip was consistent across individuals. ➡️ However, baseline HRV varied greatly between athletes, reinforcing the need for individualized monitoring. ➡️ Sustained low HRV beyond Day 2 may indicate accumulated stress or incomplete recovery. ➡️ Daily HRV tracking may be essential for understanding workload and optimizing readiness between starts. My Synopsis: This study really challenges conventional post-start recovery protocols. If HRV—a direct window into your body’s recovery state—is still depressed 24 hours after you pitch, why are we lifting the next day? The data clearly show your system is still taxed and hasn’t shifted out of a sympathetic, stress-dominant state. At VeloU, we’ve long avoided next-day lifts for this exact reason. Forcing intensity during this window may not just delay recovery—it could prolong stress, raise injury risk, or mute adaptation. What makes HRV even more powerful is its individual specificity. You may bounce back faster—or slower—than your teammate. And the best part? It’s low-lift to track, and high-impact when used right.