Peak 58 mins?!!!

[Ivy12345]

I’ve played a hockey match today.  I was at peak HR for 58 mins.  The highest recorded HR was 193. I’m 38 so my maximum HR should be 182.  Do I need to be concerned about this?  I play twice a week and am fit.  These sort of figures happen every time I play.  Obviously I’m out of breath and it’s hard work but when I play I’m so absorbed in the game and focused on winning I don’t really notice.  Any advice would be welcome!!  Do I need to chill out a bit?!!! 

[LZeeW]

Hello @Ivy12345 and welcome to the Help forum.  Fitbit uses the 220 - age = maximum predicted heart rate equation.  Some of us, like me, who know a thing or two about human physiology don't believe that this is an accurate equation.  Exercise physiology studies show that there are many individuals who can exercise above that calculated number.  So always let your body be your guide.

Also, you don't say what model Fitbit you use, but some models seem to have more error at higher heart rates.  You might want to check out The Quantified Scientist on YouTube.  He tests nearly every model of fitness tracker by many different brands for heart rate accuracy against a chest strap. It's possible that your heart rates aren't accurate.

[shipo]

LOL, no big deal, some of us can hit the absurd and horribly arbitrary "peak" for well over an hour; for a quick primer on heart rate, check out this page:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_rate

Of most interest is the section on "Limitations".

[t.parker]

@Ivy12345 if you can keep your "peak" for 58 minutes that is not your peak. Frankly, I don't even know what the "peak" zone represents (anaerobic? threshold+anaerobic?). Fitbit isn't clear about it. The maximum HR formula is outdated and many times have been proven wrong. I'm 40 and my max HR is 188 (should be 180 according to the formula). Assuming that your Fitbit was accurate (and this is already a far-fetched assumption) you may have a very high anaerobic threshold (possible with training or just genetics). An anaerobic threshold is a much better way to estimate your HR zones. I kinda assumed Fitbit's HR zones model is just a simplified model for aerobic (fat burn), tempo/low-threshold (cardio), high-threshold/anaerobic (peak) but those numbers never add up and Peak is way too wide for being just anaerobic. If I used my data under Fitbit's formula, my Peak would start where my "tempo" starts (more intense aerobic, sometimes called "endurance"), so in fact, I would be in Peak for most of my regular endurance runs. If my Peak started at 153bpm (as computation tells me) that is definitely not my peak 🙂

In other words, if you could last one hour, not being out of breath then you were definitely not doing at anaerobic zone but most likely your threshold or endurance. Of course, Fitbit readings could be also wrong. Your hearth (if healthy) will let you know when it's already too much 🙂

[emili]

I think you need to chill a bit, however, listen to your body. if you notice yourself faint, dizzy, pukey, or so out of breath that you can't form a sentence, you may want to check in with your doctor.

[charleskn]

The estimated max HR is just that. Everyone is different, and your max will be affected by your level of fitness. I am 60 with a theoretical max of 160, but I sometimes hit closer to 170. I find on my runs I can sustain about 90% of my theoretical max for 30+ minutes. I am not totally out of breath, but afterwards I am pretty cooked. If you are not experiencing any unusual symptoms, then I'd say you're probably fine (I am not a doctor). If you're concerned, you could try an added, external, HR monitor for just your workouts (I use a Polar armband) as a sanity check. My Fitbit tends to be pretty good for steady exercises, like constant running, but has a harder time tracking rapid changes in HR, which you might expect in a hockey game. You might also find the accuracy of your specific tracker is not the best, or that maybe the hockey gloves are affecting the fit/placement of the tracker, and causing erroneous readings.

[shipo]

To be perfectly honest, your level of fitness has very little, if anything to do with your max heart rate; that is more genetic than anything else.