Frajana Akter Boby1, Borko Katanic2, Robert Citozi3, Karuppasamy Govindasamy4, Vlad Adrian Geantă5
1Daffodil International University, Department of Physical Education & Sports Science, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2Montenergin Sports Academy, Podgorica, Montenegro
3Sports University of Tirana, Faculty of Physical Activity and Recreation, Tiranë, Albania
4Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Department of Sports, Recreation and Wellness, Telangana India
5Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Romania
Association Between Body Composition Metrics and Heart Rate Recovery in Female Cricketers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Sport Mont 2025, 23(2), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/smj.250618
Abstract
Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a recognized non-invasive marker of cardiovascular fitness and autonomic nervous system function. This study aimed to investigate the association between HRR and anthropometrically derived indicators of body composition in female cricket players, and to identify the most reliable adiposity-related predictor of HRR during field-based fitness screening. A total of 100 female cricketers (aged 16–26 years) were recruited from eight divisions of the Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket League (2021–2022). Participants underwent a modified Harvard Step Test, and HRR was recorded at 1 and 2 minutes post-exercise. Anthropometric measures included body mass index (BMI) z-score, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and body fat percentage (estimated via skinfolds). Data were analysed using Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression (SPSS v26). The results revealed that all indicators were negatively correlated with HRR at 1 minute (r=−0.159 to −0.223, p<0.001), and to a lesser extent with HRR at 2 minutes (r=−0.098 to −0.138, p<0.05). Body fat percentage emerged as the only significant predictor of HRR at 2 minutes in regression analysis (β=−0.318, p=0.009). In summary, the study reveals a inverse association between body composition indicators (BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and WHtR) and heart rate recovery in female cricketers, with body fat percentage being a key predictor of post-exercise HRR. These findings emphasize the relevance of body composition in evaluating cardiovascular fitness and highlight the value of the Harvard Step Test as a practical assessment tool. Further research is needed to clarify the physiological mechanisms behind these associations and to inform individualized training strategies for female athletes.
Keywords
heart rate recovery, body composition, female cricketers, cardiovascular fitness, Harvard step test
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