Summary
First study to demonstrate that HRV measured before sleep can predict chronic insomnia in elite athletes, achieving 96% prediction accuracy using a logistic regression model.
Methods
Binary logistic regression model on pre-sleep HRV data from national-level male athletes
Key Findings
- 96% accuracy in predicting chronic insomnia from pre-sleep HRV
- Pre-sleep HRV reflects autonomic state affecting sleep onset
- Athletes with insomnia show distinct pre-sleep HRV patterns
- Model more accurate than self-reported sleep quality measures
Limitations
Male athletes only, specific to elite populations
What This Means for You
If you struggle with sleep, checking your HRV before bed might reveal elevated sympathetic activation. Calming techniques like breathing exercises before sleep could help shift your autonomic state for better sleep quality.
Source
Read the original paper in Frontiers in Physiology ↗
Added to HRV Zone: 2026-01-21