Heart rate monitoring tests offer benefits for both medical professionals and athletes in training. Tests can help detect any heart problems, including erratic heartbeats or issues with your beat strength. Monitoring your heart rate can also help you calculate your maximum oxygen intake and improve your training routine. Monitoring test equipment and procedures come in several forms, from expensive machines to small portable units.
Electrocardiogram
Doctors use an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to measure heart rate and detect any changes to the electrical activity in your heart. The device affixes to the skin via small sensor pads attached to wires. Your heart beats after stimulation from the sinoatrial node. The node produces electric current, acting like a biological pacemaker in your body. The electrocardiogram test will determine if the electric current is sporadic or causes the heart to twitch or falter.
Portable Monitor
Portable heart rate monitors available from many commercial suppliers offer athletes the chance the test their heart rates while exercising. The monitor consists of two main parts. A stretchable band wraps around your chest with a small sensor positioned below your breastbone. This transmits information about your heart rate to a receiver strapped to your wrist that looks much like a standard watch. The watch stores the data and can communicate with a computer or similar device for analysis.
Stress Tests
The stress test is designed to measure your maximum heart rate. However, it's not suitable for anyone with an existing heart condition or a recent injury. Those over 35 years of age should also ask advice from their doctors before starting, according to fitness training expert Brian Mac. The test involves pushing your body to its limits in a two-stage exercise. Repeating the test every six months or so helps you check if your fitness is improving.
Submaximal Tests
Since stress tests can put the participant at risk, trainers developed submaximal heart rate monitor tests. Often, these require cycling on an ergometer at around 50 percent of your capacity while an assistant checks your pulse. Using the average heart rate over several minutes, doctors can calculate your maximum capacity. The test is considered less accurate than stress testing because it relies on estimating your maximum heart rate using the data gathered. However, the safety benefits make it more suitable for a greater variety of people.
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