Am I overdoing the Kart-io?

[Dave2P]

Encouraged by the "Am I overdoing the cardio?" thread (thanks to the OP for starting that, and to those who've posted some really informative replies), can y'all put my mind at rest and/or warn me off...?

I'm (just) into my 60s and regularly enjoy a bit of karting with the lad. I do walk a lot, swim occasionally and use a decent elliptical cross trainer regularly, so don't think I'm totally unfit - although definitely not an athlete.

I've tracked my HR on a few kart sessions and seen it edge over 180bpm occasionally (depending on the circuit) so I'm wondering if that's too much?

Garmin says my resting HR is around 55-57. This is the trace from a recent 20 minute session at Clay Pigeon; you can clearly see the start and HR falling on the cool-down lap and after. Too much for an old guy?



Thanks ever so much, D.

[S100HP]

Is that using a chest strap or wrist based? I'd suggest if the latter that interference is the biggest issue. I very much doubt your heart rate is hitting 180 whilst karting. I can ride up a massive hill and only just tickle 180 at 41 years old....

[asfault]

Loafs of older guys used to kart when I did it as a teen at competitive level.
And they didnit in 125 gearbox karts that were rocket quick.

[Dave2P]

S100HP said:

Is that using a chest strap or wrist based? I'd suggest if the latter that interference is the biggest issue

It's a watch (Garmin Venu) so that's a possibility I guess. Although would the reading be consistent if it was interference? I've got pretty consistent results on 4 different tracks and 5 types of kart... although I don't imagine minimising electrical interference was a design priority for any of them...

I do have a chest strap so will try with that next time...

[S100HP]

Dave2P said:

It's a watch (Garmin Venu) so that's a possibility I guess. Although would the reading be consistent if it was interference? I've got pretty consistent results on 4 different tracks and 5 types of kart... although I don't imagine minimising electrical interference was a design priority for any of them...

I do have a chest strap so will try with that next time...

I suspect it's more to do with vibration than interference.

[CraigyMc]

I regularly kart and am in late 40s. My HR goes to about 170 pretty regularly on that.
180 in your 60s sounds like your max and is higher than I'd expect.

[Dave2P]

CraigyMc said:

I regularly kart and am in late 40s. My HR goes to about 170 pretty regularly on that.
180 in your 60s sounds like your max and is higher than I'd expect.

Indeed, it does seem high (hence asking here).

I think S100's suggestion of vibration interference is a possibility; I'm going to try a chest strap next time and see if that produces less concerning results! Do you measure yours with a watch or strap?

[ian in lancs]

Garmin watches use optical sensors to measure the blood vessels in the wrist pulsating. As such, they are very susceptible to loose straps, high G arm movement, clothing cuffs pulling the watch about and vibration. I get spurious maxHR readings using just a watch whilst on a rowing machine, elliptical machine and circuit training (eg star jumps). Less errors walking or running but they're still there. All cured by using a chest strap. I've tried varying watch strap tightness but it doesn't make much difference.

Chest straps measure electrical signals (and BT them to the watch) rather that mechanical movement so are inherently better in the above environments.

I always use a chest strap for exercise now. I experimented with a forearm strap but didn't get on with them as they caught on clothing.

Get some better quality data first and then look into HR.

A max HR of 220-age isn't in favour and 205.8 - (0.685 * age) is apparently better but everyone is different. If you're worried see a doc....

If you are 60 with a RHR of mid 50's and using that calc your maxHR might be around 165 but i'm not a doc....

Have a read of the notes behind this app and have a play

Edited by ian in lancs on Sunday 8th September 13:20

[CraigyMc]

Dave2P said:

CraigyMc said:

I regularly kart and am in late 40s. My HR goes to about 170 pretty regularly on that.
180 in your 60s sounds like your max and is higher than I'd expect.

Indeed, it does seem high (hence asking here).

I think S100's suggestion of vibration interference is a possibility; I'm going to try a chest strap next time and see if that produces less concerning results! Do you measure yours with a watch or strap?

I've been measuring this for years, since the early '00s.

I've had similar results with a garmin+chest strap, with a polar HRM (chest strap) and with 2 generations of fitbits. I think it's real, not just vibration (how would that work anyway?) or EM interference.

Some people just have a higher heart rate overall than others, 180bpm could be a "normal" max for someone who has a higher HR in general.

For comparison, my HR regularly tops out at 170bpm in karting (rotax 177 on grippy tyres), my resting HR is low 50s (usually 53, although this varies).

These days, if I go absolutely flat out on a rowing machine or treadmill I usually get into the low 180s HR and that's as high as my HR goes these days (in my mid 20s my max recorded was 196bpm, while karting competitively -- iirc it was a quali session).

Edited to add: Thursday evening karting.

Edited by CraigyMc on Sunday 8th September 14:43

[Dave2P]

Thanks Ian, CraigyMc - interesting stuff, much appreciated. I'll "gather more data" with a chest-strap next time out. Cheers.