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Heart Rate Spikes on Fast Downhills

[Deleted User][Deleted User]
in General Training Discussions
Looking at my long ride on Sat. I notice my HR spikes on the downhills. I love speed. Think it is a physical reaction (adrenaline) vs the joy (mental) I get from going fast? Any thoughts? http://tpks.ws/WIsl

Comments

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    1. Looking at the file, the spikes go up in the range of 220-240. Thats above your Max HR, I'm sure. Indicating either an equipment issue,(e.g., near power wires, doubling the HR) or development of an arrhythmia (atrial tach or fib or something like that). The latter of course would be more concerning than the former.

    2. Just for fun, I checked my most recent long decent (Mt Lemmon in Tucson), which lasts over an hour, and is relentlessly downhill. My HR was in the 60s the whole way, except for about 10 spikes to 100-110. Each spike was associated with pedaling (I was tracking cadence along with elevation, HR, Power, etc), shooing I was starting to work.

  • novaavantnovaavant
    This might not be your issue but I've had spikes like this on downhills when I get aggressive and try getting as low as I can. My old school garmin HR strap - think old one piece plastic model - will somehow get pushed off my chest briefly off and on as I descend. Picture bending a piece of plastic from two sides so it kinda forms a u. This separation from my chest creates all kinds of crazy readings.

  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    Yup, 200+ almost always equals a powerline or some other interference.
  • Mark CardinaleMark Cardinale

    Larry, check out this article from DC Rainmaker.  I had the same issue as you and came across this article awhile back.  It still happens to me on occasion, but at least it's explainable and not due to my heart racing like crazy

    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/04/...-rate.html

     

  • Brad MarcusBrad Marcus
    I raced a HIM last year, where I remember being on the bike and every time I came out of aero position (descending /ascending hills, Stretching, etc), my heart rate readings became erratic. I never got to the bottom of it, since it happened for nearly the entire bike. I've had instances, as all of us I'm sure, where are readings are clearly off, but this seems more like what you're talking about, Larry. Maybe strap positioning, it being wet, who knows...
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Thanks all! A lot of good information. I will play with a few things this weekend.
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