Fig. 6

Training impulse (TRIMP; panel a), resting heart rate (HR; panel b), heart rate variability (HRV; panel c) and sleep (panels d–i) of male cyclists during the Tour de France plotted as a function of stage classification. AU, arbitrary units. HRV was calculated using the root-mean-square of successive differences between heartbeats (rMSSD and is reported in milliseconds (ms). ‘RE’ indicates transfer/rest days; ‘FL’ indicates flat stages; ‘HY’ indicates hilly stages; ‘MT’ indicates mountain stages; and ‘TT’ indicates time trials. Data are presented as mean (bars) and 95% confidence intervals (error bars). Closed circles represent individual cyclists. * in panels a and c indicates a significant difference between stage classifications (p < .05)