What is Heart Rate Variability(HRV)?

Heart rate variability or (HRV) is the gap in time between the beats of your heart. So, if your heart rate is 60 BPM, it is not beating once every second. In that minute there may be around 0.8 - 0.9 seconds between two beats and 1.15 seconds between two others. The greater this variability is, the more primed your body is to execute at higher levels.

HRV and Fitness:

When you have a high HRV this means that your nervous system is balanced and that your body is able to adapt to its environment and perform at its best. This helps you achieve larger gains and peak bodily optimization. Prime HRV changes as you age. HRV decreases abruptly as people get older. The middle 50% of 20-25 year-olds usually have an average HRV in the 55-105 range, while 60-65 year olds tend to be between 25-45.

HRV Training:

Research has shown that HRV can be a great resource for optimizing your training. After days of workout activity, your HRV will dip. With proper rest and recovery, your heart rate variability will rise, letting you know that it’s once again time to push yourself. Rather than sticking to a set workout schedule, changing the intensity and duration of your exercise based on your HRV will help you to train smarter and efficiently. When your HRV is higher, your body is ready to take on a larger workload. When it is low, it's a sign to cut back and rest your body. Using HRV is a great way to optimize your workouts and make the most of your workouts.

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