Rolling-Window Heart Rate Variability, Internal Training Load and Performance Consistency in Elite Orienteering: A 5-Year Longitudinal Case Study

Heart rate variability (HRV) is increasingly used to monitor recovery and training adaptation in endurance sports, but long-term evidence in orienteering is limited. This 5-year longitudinal case study examined the interaction among rolling-window HRV, internal training load and split-based performance consistency in an elite male orienteer progressing from junior to senior international level. Daily morning HRV was recorded in the supine position and analysed with Kubios HRV using 7-day rolling windows. Internal load was quantified with TRIMP and related heart-rate metrics, while performance was evaluated through official results and split-time indicators from national and international competitions. Over time, rolling lnRMSSD increased, resting heart rate and Stress Index decreased, and TRIMP distribution became more economical. Split-based metrics showed fewer major navigation errors and greater execution consistency. Integrating HRV, internal load and split analysis offers a practical framework for monitoring elite orienteering performance.