From heart-rate data to training quantification: A comparison of 3 methods of training-intensity analysis
Original version
Sylta, Ø., TØnnessen, E., & Seiler, S. (2014). From heart-rate data to training quantification: A comparison of 3 methods of training-intensity analysis. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 9(1), 100-107. doi: 10.1123/IJSPP.2013-0298 10.1123/IJSPP.2013-0298Abstract
Purpose: We directly compared three frequently used methods of heart-rate based training intensity distribution (TID) quantification in a large sample of training sessions performed by elite endurance athletes. Methods: Twenty-nine elite XC skiers (16 male, 13 female, 25 ± 4 yr, 70 ± 11 kg, 76 ± 7 mL . min-1 . kg-1 VO2max) conducted 570 training sessions during a ~14 d altitude training camp. Three analysis methods were used; Time in Zone (TIZ), Session-Goal (SG) and a hybrid Session-Goal/Time in Zone (SG/TIZ) approach. The proportion of training in zone 1, zone 2 and zone 3 was quantified using total training time or frequency of sessions, and simple conversion factors across different methods were calculated. Results: Comparing the TIZ and SG/TIZ methods, 96.1 and 95.5 % respectively of total training time was spent in zone 1 (P < .001), with 2.9/3.6 and 1.1/0.8 % in zones 2/3 (P < .001). Using SG, this corresponded to 86.6 % zone 1 and 11.1/2.4 % zone 2/3 sessions. Estimated conversion factors from TIZ or SG/TIZ to SG and vice versa, were 0.9/1.1 respectively in the low intensity training (LIT) range (zone 1), and 3.0/0.33 in the high intensity training (HIT) range (zone 2 & 3). Conclusions: This study provides a direct comparison and practical conversion factors across studies employing different methods of TID quantification associated with the most common HR based analysis methods.
Description
Author's version of an article in the journal: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. Also available from the publisher at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/IJSPP.2013-0298