Abstract: Objective: To monitor the physical functions of elite rowers before major competitions by using heart rate variability(HRV), catecholamine(CA) and routine biochemical indexes, so as to explore HRV as a supplementary index for the diagnosis of athletes' functional state. Methods: 14 outstanding male open-class rowers were recruited in this study, and HRV, CA and routine biochemical indexes were tested once every two weeks during the first week before training and 14 weeks before competition.Results: 1) In the pre-competition training process, the time-domain index RMSSD of HRV has significant time effects(P<0.05),but SDNN has no significant difference at each time point. Compared with pre-training, RMSSD was increased significantly at the8 thweek(P<0.05); 2) TP also has significant time effects(P<0.05), but HF, LF and LF/HF were not observed significant difference at each time point. Compared with pre-training, TP was decreased significantly at the 6 thweek(high training volume) and the 2 ndweek(high training intensity)(P<0.05); 3) All of BU, CK, T and C have significant time effects(P<0.05). Compared with pretraining, BU, CK and C were decreased at the end of high-volume and high-intensity training, while T was increased significantly at the end of high-intensity training(P<0.05); 4) Plasma CA has significant time effects(P<0.05). Compared with pre-training, E,NE and DA were decreased significantly at most time points(P<0.05); 5) RMSSD was negatively correlated with NE(P<0.05),SDNN, RMSSD and LF were positively correlated with BU, RMSSD and HF were negatively correlated with C, LF/HF was positively correlated with C(P<0.05). Conclusions: 1) The 14-week pre-competition training with a main content of water and special strength endurance training and a main training intensity of oxygen utilization 2 and oxygen utilization 1 can enhance the training adaptability of rowers, and then improve the pre-competition physical function; 2) Some indexes of HRV have significant correlation with biochemical indexes and plasma CA, so HRV can be used as a supplementary index to monitor athletes' physical function.