'HRV'/HRM discussions scant, wondering why? [injury content]

[robt57]

We watched the Peter Attia / Pogacar Podcast. I am woefully behind the times it seems. Pog talking HRV, 1st time I've heard of this. So got to googling, then DL-ed Kubios to see if my Polar HRM was compatible with the app and found it is.

Taking into consideration my accident on 8/24 and leg injury, and the fact that it took my wifes e-bike for me to ride at all 10 days in, the +5 years on the 'physiological age' is understandable. Because being 67 isn't bad enough.

I still have not ridden more than 6-8 miles. My standing/out of saddle attempt @ week 4 resulted in 'Sit your Ars Back Down' in short order. I am glad this injury was not worse, but thinking it was closer to very bad than initially thought. I did go to my PCP and the young non sports Dr. didn't order any test/scans. But the bruising and fluid accum just behind the impact point had only absorbed to a non visual state last few days. Spot still pretty sensitive to the touch FWIW.

Won't go into this further, as the HRV is the point. [feel free to if you can add value to recovery issues]

So looking forward to seeing the HRV status as I get back to real ride duration. I am actually going to use my old Computrainer Spin Scan mode today and see what I expect to be the case, right leg weak. Although other than the slight charlie horse sensation seated pedaling, it feels pretty OK.

The 5x charlie horse sensation standing, well plan is to give that another week before I do that so as not to hamper recovery.


How are any of US using the HRV data, seeking points on that. And again, feel free to if you can add value to recovery issues.

The 60 resting HR after good night rest is high for me. Assume as a result of loosing some fitness not riding normally for a month now. Low 50s more typical for me this time of year riding 3 days at least/wk. FWIW

[C40_guy]

I've mostly watched resting heart rate, just learned that Garmin's "stress" measurement is based on HRV. Got a notification that my stress level was high on Sunday. My response: "No ****!"

But yes...I'll be watching it...

Not quite sure how to influence HRV, which is a marker of stress..and?

[KonaSS]

I look at mine daily, but find it of limited actual value in changing behaviors. My HRV decreases when I am tired or stressed. It increases when I am fresh. For the most part, I already know when and why I am tired and/or stressed.

Looking at it, as well as RHR, and sleep probably gives me a nudge now and then to focus on recovery. But beyond that, it is closer to a gee-whiz number than a valuable indicator.

[benb]

I don't have a device which supports it. It's one of the things making me think about upgrading my garmin watch.

But yah, bad sleep or stress is not that hard to detect.

[makoti]

I watch my HRV, using my Whoop. It's hard to effect, but I know some things do.
- Flonase. It will kill it
- Eating late. Not good for it
- 8 hours of sleep. Very helpful
- Alcohol. A killer if close to bedtime, less so if in moderation and stopping 3hrs prior
- Getting old. Forget about it.

My HRV avg has increased from the 30s to upper 40s since I started tracking it. It's never going to be 100+. I'm just too old for that.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by c40_guy

i've mostly watched resting heart rate, just learned that garmin's "stress" measurement is based on hrv. Got a notification that my stress level was high on sunday. my response: "no ****!"

lol

[openwheelracing]

what is HRV?

[makoti]

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

what is HRV?

Heart Rate Variability
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/healt...ariability-hrv

[mistermo]

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

what is HRV?

[dolface]

I use a Whoop to track it too, and use my HRV as an input to how hard/long I ride that day.

Things that affect it negatively (for me, YMMV).
- Alcohol (I quit drinking in part because of what it did to my HRV)
- Late eating (no food starting 3 hours prior to bed)
- Stress (not a surprise)
- Hard workouts (also not a surprise)

Things that affect it positively (for me, YMMV).
- At least 8 hours of sleep
- Good sleep hygiene (regular sleep/wake schedule, no screens before bed, reading before sleep)
- Staying hydrated

It's also given me early warnings when I'm getting sick which is interesting but not often something I can do a lot about (other than try to focus on resting)

[benb]

Originally Posted by makoti

I watch my HRV, using my Whoop. It's hard to effect, but I know some things do.
- Flonase. It will kill it
- Eating late. Not good for it
- 8 hours of sleep. Very helpful
- Alcohol. A killer if close to bedtime, less so if in moderation and stopping 3hrs prior
- Getting old. Forget about it.

My HRV avg has increased from the 30s to upper 40s since I started tracking it. It's never going to be 100+. I'm just too old for that.

Ok most of these are not super interesting but the Flonase is!

I take Flonase for a month or so in the fall. Makes me curious.

[novacyclist]

Do you have to wear your HRM all the time or just during exercise?

[robt57]

Originally Posted by novacyclist

Do you have to wear your HRM all the time or just during exercise?

Who are you asking?

[trener1]

I find the value in HRV in looking at trends but not in day to day usage, i.e. if it is down for a number if days in a row then I need to try and figure out what's going on/cut down on training etc...
But if it is down one night I will still train hard that day (if I was going to), as has already been mentioned it can be down due to a number of reasons for one night but it doesn't mean that you are trending in the wrong direction.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by benb

Ok most of these are not super interesting but the Flonase is!

I take Flonase for a month or so in the fall. Makes me curious.

I used it daily. Ran out for two weeks. My HRV jumped immediately to levels I had not attained before. Coincidence or cause/effect? Can't swear, but seems pretty plain to me.
I still use it but only on high allergen days, now. Like, oh, all of Spring and most of Fall