@gonzo7 wrote:
So Ive noticed that my heart rate is higher on slower walking speeds on a treadmill such as 2.5 mph vs. 3 mph on several occasions. Can the heartrate monitor be trusted? I'm assuming that it can be. If all this is correct then is walking at a moderate pace more efficient for exercise?
Way too many variables to answer your question. As a general rule the faster you move the higher your heart rate will be, all else being equal. That said, a variance in stride due to one's forward momentum can increase efficiency so it is possible to move faster and yet use less energy per minute. I noticed this once a couple of years back when I was scheduled to lead a group run for my company's running team; I went out for a 6-mile workout, and then led the 3-mile run immediately after that. The funny thing was, for my 6-mile workout run, I ran it at an 8:10 pace with an average heart rate of 135, the 3-mile group run was run at a 10:15 pace and I had an average heart rate of 142.
