Heart Rate ?

nuttyfamily · March 2012

I finally bought and have been wearing a HRM...the Polar Ft4.

When I search the boards, the general consensus is that most folks burn less calories than online calculators, the MFP estimates, etc.

I am finding I burn more than online calculators, MFP or even my Runkeeper estimates. I am training for half marathon so thought I'd do research on what zone to aim for a long slow run day.

I slowed the LSR down by more the :30mm and my heart rate is still pretty high. What can cause me to have such a higher heart rate when working out. Even on my walks, it gets up there a ways.

I am 43, 133 pounds and my resting heart rate is 62. On my walks, were I am pushing it, my heart gets into the 120 range. On the LSR days, it is in the 160s. According to my watch, 177 is my max rate?

DH was throwing out maybe it is my breathing...could that be it? Or do some folks just run high?

froeschli · March 2012

Ha, I posted a similar question earlier.
Apparently thee is not much scientific ground behind the 220-age formula for maximum heart rate.
I actually got up to 200 a few times today, doing HIIT. Even if I ignore the max reading of 230 as a weird spike or possible interference, 200 is 10 above my supposed max heart rate.
Anyhow, I'll try some of the tests I found to figure out what the actual maximum is in my case. They say to consult a doctor first though, probably a good idea ;-)
I'll post the web address if I can find it again...

As for your HRM, they are usually programmed to keep you between 65-85% of your maximum, or something like that...

leadoff · March 2012

According to the old 220-age formula, my max rate is 183. However, I often go above this when doing hills and intervals. I usually stay around 160-165 while running. I did an LSD today of 10.5 miles and averaged 165 doing a 10:16 average pace. I love having the HR info, and have learned how to monitor my pace in conjunction with my HR. Your personal "Perceived level of exertion" is the way to go IMO.

LilRedRooster · March 2012

I actually posted about this a few days ago, because my heart rate is always really high when I'm training. Like, for a moderate jog, it'll be around 175, consistently, and near 200 when I'm doing speed and HIIT stuff. I did an Insanity workout today, and it was sitting at 180 the entire time, peaking around 195, which is supposed to be my max heart rate. Just walking kicks it up to around 140, which is supposed to be a "moderate" level of training heart rate range for the average person.

I don't think there's anything sinister behind having a heart rate that's faster, from what I've read. Your parasympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" one) kicks in when exercising, and it's just louder than the impulses from your sympathetic (the "rest and digest" aspect) that keep your heart rate lower in a resting state. Normally, your heart would beat faster, but impulses from the brain actually slow it down when at rest. So I think it just has more to do with genetic reaction to working out, when the levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine are higher during exercise, because heart rate is only changed when your parasympathetic system overrides your sympathetic impulses to slow down.

So from what I've read, it sounds like a higher heart rate in a healthy individual is just a more exacerbated reaction to those chemicals and impules than an "average" person's.

I agree with a previous poster, try and go by your perceived level of exertion (like the ability to carry on a conversation during exercise), because that will reflect your oxygen deficit better than your heart rate will.

ChrDG · March 2012

I finally bought and have been wearing a HRM...the Polar Ft4.

When I search the boards, the general consensus is that most folks burn less calories than online calculators, the MFP estimates, etc.

I am finding I burn more than online calculators, MFP or even my Runkeeper estimates. I am training for half marathon so thought I'd do research on what zone to aim for a long slow run day.

I slowed the LSR down by more the :30mm and my heart rate is still pretty high. What can cause me to have such a higher heart rate when working out. Even on my walks, it gets up there a ways.

I am 43, 133 pounds and my resting heart rate is 62. On my walks, were I am pushing it, my heart gets into the 120 range. On the LSR days, it is in the 160s. According to my watch, 177 is my max rate?

DH was throwing out maybe it is my breathing...could that be it? Or do some folks just run high?

I seems like your HRmax is quite a bit higher than the estimated 220-age (you should not be able to sustain 90% of HRmax for a long run). Mine is too - the HRmax I have seen at the end of a 6K event was 15 bpm higher than estimated from 220-age. So I am using this new value as a proxy for my HRmax. My true HRmax could be even a little higher, but not a lot - I felt more than exhausted by then.

Here is a link to some alternative methods to give you an idea about your HRmax - have a look at the Submax step test or Submax 1-mile walking test - they should be easy to perform and would give you an idea whether 220-age is too low for you. The Polar training zones are of no use if the HRmax entered is not approximately correct.

http://www.howtobefit.com/determine-maximum-heart-rate.htm

runtrx · March 2012

I actually posted about this a few days ago, because my heart rate is always really high when I'm training. Like, for a moderate jog, it'll be around 175, consistently, and near 200 when I'm doing speed and HIIT stuff. I did an Insanity workout today, and it was sitting at 180 the entire time, peaking around 195, which is supposed to be my max heart rate. Just walking kicks it up to around 140, which is supposed to be a "moderate" level of training heart rate range for the average person.

I don't think there's anything sinister behind having a heart rate that's faster, from what I've read. Your sympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" one) kicks in when exercising, and it's just louder than the impulses from your parasympathetic (the "rest and digest" aspect) that keep your heart rate lower in a resting state. Normally, your heart would beat faster, but impulses from the brain actually slow it down when at rest. So I think it just has more to do with genetic reaction to working out, when the levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine are higher during exercise, because heart rate is only changed when your parasympathetic system overrides your sympathetic impulses to slow down.

So from what I've read, it sounds like a higher heart rate in a healthy individual is just a more exacerbated reaction to those chemicals and impules than an "average" person's.

I agree with a previous poster, try and go by your perceived level of exertion (like the ability to carry on a conversation during exercise), because that will reflect your oxygen deficit better than your heart rate will.

Corrected the typographical error. Parasympathetic promotes "peace" to the body's equilibrium.

nuttyfamily · March 2012

Thanks for the feedback. Glad I am not alone!

When DH mentioned breathing being a cause (he is no athlete so he truly has no clue), I didn't think it could be. I am not out of breath and don't feel exerted when out running, etc. when on LSR.

I'll go off more how I feel though but keep an eye on the HR to make sure it doesn't get too high and I guess relish the fact I burn calories than others for exercise? I never eat ALL of them back anyways.

cheddar2000 · March 2012

I just wanted to put out the opposite side so people know. I am on a beta blocker and it tends to keep my heart rate lower so trying to get my heart rate up to the recommend could be dangerous for me. If you are on any medication check with your doctor before you use a heart rate monitor!

pitbullmama · March 2012

I actually posted about this a few days ago, because my heart rate is always really high when I'm training. Like, for a moderate jog, it'll be around 175, consistently, and near 200 when I'm doing speed and HIIT stuff. I did an Insanity workout today, and it was sitting at 180 the entire time, peaking around 195, which is supposed to be my max heart rate. Just walking kicks it up to around 140, which is supposed to be a "moderate" level of training heart rate range for the average person.

I don't think there's anything sinister behind having a heart rate that's faster, from what I've read. Your sympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" one) kicks in when exercising, and it's just louder than the impulses from your parasympathetic (the "rest and digest" aspect) that keep your heart rate lower in a resting state. Normally, your heart would beat faster, but impulses from the brain actually slow it down when at rest. So I think it just has more to do with genetic reaction to working out, when the levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine are higher during exercise, because heart rate is only changed when your parasympathetic system overrides your sympathetic impulses to slow down.

So from what I've read, it sounds like a higher heart rate in a healthy individual is just a more exacerbated reaction to those chemicals and impules than an "average" person's.

I agree with a previous poster, try and go by your perceived level of exertion (like the ability to carry on a conversation during exercise), because that will reflect your oxygen deficit better than your heart rate will.

Corrected the typographical error. Parasympathetic promotes "peace" to the body's equilibrium.

I just failed a physical demands test in order to go back to work. My heartrate exceeded my max by 3 beats and the testing was stopped. So now I have to wait 4 weeks before I can try again with instructions to do cardio to get my heartrate down or I will fail again. No way around that 220-age for me, and I don't even feel winded at that point.

froeschli · March 2012

I just failed a physical demands test in order to go back to work. My heartrate exceeded my max by 3 beats and the testing was stopped. So now I have to wait 4 weeks before I can try again with instructions to do cardio to get my heartrate down or I will fail again. No way around that 220-age for me, and I don't even feel winded at that point.

That seems off, especially since there isn't that much scientific ground behind that equation. Can you get a physical done by someone who isn't into averages? Or get a specialist to certify what your actual max heart rate is... It's possible they just didn't want to risk any 'incidents' whilst you were being tested...

pitbullmama · March 2012

I just failed a physical demands test in order to go back to work. My heartrate exceeded my max by 3 beats and the testing was stopped. So now I have to wait 4 weeks before I can try again with instructions to do cardio to get my heartrate down or I will fail again. No way around that 220-age for me, and I don't even feel winded at that point.

That seems off, especially since there isn't that much scientific ground behind that equation. Can you get a physical done by someone who isn't into averages? Or get a specialist to certify what your actual max heart rate is... It's possible they just didn't want to risk any 'incidents' whilst you were being tested...

Going in to see my doc this week and see what she has to say. Maybe a note saying I can work to a higher rate? anyway in the meantime its cardio, cardio, cardio for me.

Heart Rate ?

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