Masters Theses
Date of Award
6-1988
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Major Professor
Edward T. Howley
Committee Members
Jean Lewis, Wendy Bubb, Craig Wrisberg
Abstract
In field situation, exercise heart rate is usually assessed by the method of counting post-exercise heart rate. The accuracy of the estimation can be affected by the measurement interval used, to which onset time and length of the interval are related. Uncertainty existed in the literature concerning the optimal measurement interval. This study determined the optimal measurement interval for exercise heart rate estimation using the post-exercise heart rate counting method for exercise at different intensities.
Fourteen healthy male college students volunteered as subjects for the study. Five treadmill walking tests were given to each subject, one at 100% of maximal heart rate, two at 85% of maximal heart rate, and the other two at 70% of maximal heart rate. All tests were conducted in laboratory conditions. Heart rate was recorded by an EGG during the last 30 seconds of exercise and during the first 30 seconds after cessation of exercise. A Heartwatch was used to monitor the heart rate throughout the test.
Exercise heart rate was determined according to the EGG recording of the last 30 seconds of exercise. Exercise heart rate was estimated from different post-exercise heart rate measurement intervals by counting the QRS spikes within the intervals on the EGG recording.
The statistical analyses of the data showed that, while the estimations obtained from different post-exercise measurement intervals were all significantly different from the exercise heart rate, the measurement intervals of 5-6 (the interval that started 5 seconds after ending exercise and lasted 6 seconds), 5-8, 5-10, and 5-12 produced estimations closer to actual exercise heart rate. The results also showed that although the individual estimation errors occurred in both directions, the average estimation in each measurement intervals was lower than exercise heart rate.
The results of this study suggest that when assessing exercise heart rate by counting post-exercise heart rate 5 seconds after cessation of exercise, the measurement intervals with a length of 6 to 12 seconds are better to use and are suitable for exercises at intensities of 70%, 85%, or 100% of maximal heart rate levels. According to the average estimation errors, it appears reasonable to use an adjusting factor of adding 6 beats/min to an exercise heart rate estimation obtained from those recommended measurement intervals.
Recommended Citation
Zhu, Daming, "Effects of different post-exercise measurement intervals on the accuracy of exercise heart rate estimations.. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1988.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/13392
