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Heart Rate Variability During Exercise

The demand of usable devices for measuring power on roads during the racing and training has increased considerably. The heart rate (HR) tool among them is the widely used by athletes and racers which act as a training tool and it is tremendous beneficial to athletes. The HR tools are inexpensive and remain the choice of many athletes to track their intensity levels.

Dealing with regular heart rate variability

Here are few ways in which the HR varies:

  • Consecutive days of rigorous workout decrease the glycogen level which affects the HR.
  • The consecutive high intensity programs increases the blood plasma which is directly correlated to a low HR.
  • Trainings should be conducted in a lower altitude zones because places on higher altitude increase the HR.
  • Medications like albuterol, antihistamines can lift up your HR & beta-blockers (hypertensives) can do the opposite.
  • The HR can also increase if an athlete is on a rest during a season.
  • Fatigue or tiredness out of trainings or races can influence your HR also.
  • Addiction of caffeine can also increase the athlete’s HR.

heart rate variabilityVariable zones can assist you greatly. After determining zones you can control the HR for all intense trainings. Zones are enabled with buffering system which allows limited variations in HR. You can also use intensity indicators while training.

For example –If the workout intensity of 7 or 8 in RPE scale raises your HR then drop down immediately to compensate your HR level. One of the best ways to control your HR is by analyzing its response for few days over training sessions & environmental changes. Your study of the correlation between heart rate and RPE will make you aware of your HR variability.

Written by Sam · Filed Under Training