Heart Rate Monitors

The first wireless heart rate monitor (HRM) was introduced in 1983, and since then, many improvements have been made e.g.

Coded transmission process (from the chest strap to watch) to reduce interference with other HRMs
Ability to capture large amounts of data
Functions to aid with training, e.g. high and low ranges for setting training zones
Ability to download the captured data onto a computer and then analyse it with special software
Ability to determine your VO₂ max

An HRM's use to set exercise intensity is based on sound physiological principles - as the work increases, oxygen consumption (VO₂) and heart rate increases in a linear relationship until near maximal intensities. Heart rate is easier to measure than oxygen consumption, and the relationship between them has been established. However, one critical component is knowing your maximum heart rate (HR_max).

Factors affecting Heart Rate

Many factors can alter your heart rate:

Stress
Illness
Overtraining
Medication
Time of day
Food and drink (Caffeine)
Altitude
Temperature
Hydration levels
Weather conditions
Heart rate drift
Heart rate variability

Heart rate drift

This is the increase in heart rate seen over time while exercising constantly. Some studies have found that your heart rate can increase by as much as 5 to 20 bpm during exercise lasting 20 to 60 minutes even when the work rate does not change.

Heart rate variability

This describes the variations in the intervals between consecutive heartbeats. Even when the heart rate is stable, the time between successive beats can vary considerably. Heart rate variability is more significant at rest in aerobically trained individuals than in untrained individuals.

Vagal Tone

The nervous system influences the resting heart rate using signals from the Vagus nerve. The resting heart rate will fluctuate with the respiration cycle. Inspiration is accompanied by heart rate elevation and expiration with a drop in heart rate. When there is considerable variability for each respiratory cycle, we say there is a high vagal tone, and when there is low variability, we have weak or poor vagal tone.

Summary

The heart rate is a useful parameter for monitoring the athlete's body's reaction to training, and the HRM provides a convenient method for measuring and recording heart rate during exercise.

The heart rate does not allow for an accurate assessment of the training effectiveness over time and cannot tell the coach or athlete which aspects of the training program have a positive or negative influence on training adaptation.

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

MACKENZIE, B. (1997) Heart Rate Monitors [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/hrm.htm [Accessed


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Heart rate is easier to measure than oxygen consumption, and the relationship between them has been established. However, one critical component is knowing your maximum heart rate (HR_max). Factors affecting Heart Rate Many factors can alter your heart rate: Stress Illness Overtraining Medication Time of day Food and drink (Caffeine) Altitude Temperature Hydration levels Weather conditions Heart rate drift Heart rate variability Heart rate drift This is the increase in heart rate seen over time while exercising constantly. Some studies have found that your heart rate can increase by as much as 5 to 20 bpm during exercise lasting 20 to 60 minutes even when the work rate does not change. Heart rate variability This describes the variations in the intervals between consecutive heartbeats. Even when the heart rate is stable, the time between successive beats can vary considerably. Heart rate variability is more significant at rest in aerobically trained individuals than in untrained individuals. Vagal Tone The nervous system influences the resting heart rate using signals from the Vagus nerve. The resting heart rate will fluctuate with the respiration cycle. Inspiration is accompanied by heart rate elevation and expiration with a drop in heart rate. When there is considerable variability for each respiratory cycle, we say there is a high vagal tone, and when there is low variability, we have weak or poor vagal tone. Summary The heart rate is a useful parameter for monitoring the athlete's body's reaction to training, and the HRM provides a convenient method for measuring and recording heart rate during exercise. The heart rate does not allow for an accurate assessment of the training effectiveness over time and cannot tell the coach or athlete which aspects of the training program have a positive or negative influence on training adaptation. Page Reference If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is: MACKENZIE, B. (1997) Heart Rate Monitors [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/hrm.htm [Accessed