Fast Talk 358: How to Use—and Not Use—HRV in Your Training
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Feb 13, 2025 In this discussion, Dr. Brad Lichtenstein, a licensed naturopathic physician and HRV expert, dives into the significance of heart rate variability in athletic training. He highlights its role in assessing recovery and training readiness while cautioning against over-reliance on technology. The conversation also explores the impact of lifestyle choices, like sleep and nutrition, on HRV and offers practical tips for optimizing performance. Dr. Lichtenstein emphasizes a holistic approach to training, integrating both data and personal health insights.
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HRV Overview
- HRV measures variations in time between heartbeats, reflecting nervous system influences and more.
- Variability is crucial, indicating a responsive system, unlike a static pacemaker.
HRV for Endurance Athletes
- Consider HRV alongside other metrics to understand training load, overtraining, and lifestyle factors.
- Understand the specific HRV metric your device uses and its meaning for accurate interpretation.
HRV for Travel
- Coach Isaiah Newkirk uses HRV to assess athlete freshness after training blocks.
- He also uses it to track fatigue from travel, altitude, and tapering for races.