Heart Rate versus Perceived Exertion

[zoelda]

Hi there,

I've been using my new heart rate monitor, and I have a question. I noticed when doing MIC my heart rate was often in the high 160's into the low 170's (which is where I wanted it). Then, doing Rhythmic Step, I noticed that my heart rate was in the high 150's to low 170's (though those squat/shuffle things at the end did kick me up past 175)!

My question is this... why do I feel like I'm working harder at 168 bpm in MIC than at 168 bpm in Rhythmic Step? Am I working harder if my heart rate is the same?

Thanks!
Zoelda

 

[cinza]

I havent a clue but am thinking about it too.

i havent got a clue..
but i do have an observation .
i had a heart rate monitor for a few days and noticed just lifting my arms high made a nice difference in heart rate..

i wasnt working at all but getting what looked like a better workout.
Then i did tough pilates stuff on the floor and didnt get an impressive rise at all.....
and no one is going to convince me i was working harder when i lifted my arms!

maybe the question is "exactly what" is the monitor monitoring

it might not be monitoring your effort, only a specific aspect ofyour body's response to certain efforts..

i know when i do squats and stuff i am working hard and burning energy in ways the monitor wont account for.... but i burn fat and get stronger.

we know people who just do aerobics might do alot of heart rate raising but not really get strong ...

people who do weights without worrying about the heart rate still burn up alot of calories without high rates.

i think of the heart rate is only a particular measure, but not the whole story when it comes to how hard you are working.

 

[Aquajock]

Just my .02 as well -

The heart rate monitor, to my understanding, only measures that: how fast the heart is beating. Another important thing to measure, and I'm not sure there is such a device, is stroke volume, i.e. the AMOUNT of oxygen-rich blood that is being pumped out of the heart and down to the working muscles with each beat. Other factors can affect heart rate, as you already know: dietary intake, caffeine intake, the time of day you work out, the temperature and humidity.

I find that my RPE is much higher in cardio work that recruits the thigh muscles more heavily - i.e. plyo-jacks, power scissors, box jumps, half-time side-to-side jumps, vertical jumps, "airborn jacks", etc. However, I usually do not take a heart rate during home workouts - if I'm sweatin', breathing fast and deep, etc. - so I don't know what my HR is at.

How's that for a totally useless response?

Annette