Heart rate during fencing...

[Boo Boo Too]

I was experimenting tonight with my new heart rate monitor (bought for cross training purposes - to keep me working within my "training zone" whilst running).

I was, however, rather disturbed at the results! My heart rate is about 70bpm at complete rest, but whilst fencing it was measuring 160 odd bpm (for medium intensity fights) and up to 185 or so bmp(for hard intensity fights)!

This is worrying me since all references which I can find to heart rate for my age suggest that medium to high intesity target heart rate should be 140 odd to about 175 bpm.

I am a 27 year old female foilist. Have been fencing for almost 9 years and would probably be classified as advanced/elite. I fence about three times a week and supplement this with private lessons, running, gym and resistance training. So consider myself reasonably fit. I feel pushed when I fence high intensity (hard) fights, but not as though I am over-exherting myself, dizzy or going to collapse.

Could the electric box be interferring with the heart rate monitor? Should I worry about fencing taking (or appearing to take) my heart rate considerably what appears to be my "target Zone" (max heart rate for my age should be 190).

Boo Boo
(a bear with a rather fast heart :-( ).

[Peach]

Heart rate is the recommended rate for aerobic exercise for achieving the best training effect. Fencing, however, depending on the weapon, the fencer, and the intensity of the bout, can be anaerobic, aerobic, or so laid-back it's not really exercise. It is also not unusual to go over your training zone heart rate during your sport if you're a well-conditioned athlete. Recovery time is actually more important than the actual rate.

[soos]

na problem with those 185 bpm, i m 25 (male foil) and i m fencing since i m 6, and i probably overshooted this rate several times in champs ... doesnt matter cos u must win or die , but u cant leave the pist loosing... so maybe u r not that far of the(?!) aim

[Purple Fencer]

I'd really doubt the scoring box is affecting the monitor.

As far as the heart rate goes. Allow me to point out that - back in '93 - a kinesologist from Indiana University put a heart monitor and a lung capacity measuring device on a percussionist form the Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps. In the middle of an 11 1/2 minute, full-out run thorugh of their show, his heart rate was more than 200 and he was consuming 12 times his resting rate of oxygen. I did he same activity at the same level of comeptition, and I'm fine. If you're in good shape, your heart can take it.

if you're really concerned, though, talk to your doctor.

[its_me_mango]

I agree with purple, i would double check with your md, i thought your heatrate could double without a problem, but it sounds like your going a little higher.

[Inquartata]

175 is still only 90% of your "maximum". Checking with your doctor is never a bad thing, but your experience doesn't seem out of line, even if your monitor is measuring your HR precisely...