What is your max rate setting?

Curious question for all endurance junkies.  My max is set at 150 and, believe it or not, I think it's too high for endurance sport at my age of 45.  At first I thought the max setting was too low and had it raised, but now think the lower setting was better and it was the sensitivitiy setting that was the real problem.  I sometimes wish I could just adjust the darn thing myself.

Anyway, what is your max setting?

Thanks. 

6 Comments

190

by Tracey_E - 2017-04-14 22:18:41

I kept maxing out when it was 170 so they gave me a new one that goes to 220 and set it at 190. I am 50. 

Upper limit is there as a cushion, it's there if you need it but having it high doesn't necessarily mean getting that high. 

If the sensitivity was better before, ask them to change it back. That will affect how you feel a lot more than upper limit.

Bpm

by Hamsquatch - 2017-04-15 01:22:47

150 bpm but I do feel as though it's been higher at times (hitting the escarpment stairs near me, 289 steps). 

Rate response is a trade-off

by IAN MC - 2017-04-15 08:16:42

Hi Bob .  I assume you are talking about the maximum sensor rate for your rate response function rather than the maximum tracking rate.

Deciding on rate response settings is always something of a trade-off:-

- if you decide to go back to your lower setting , without any doubt there could be times when you suffer because your body is screaming for more oxygen e.g. when you're running up a long steep hill . This of course assumes that you are chronotropically incompetent and your heart won't increase the rate on its own.

- if you stay at 150 bpm and don't have the slope /sensitivity settings right then you will be hitting 150 too easily ( and posssibly staying at that level for too long )

Certainly 150 is not a particularly high max setting for a fit 45 year old ( I would have expected at least 170 )  BUT , and it is a big " but" , we are all different and only you know how you feel at various heart rates when you're pushing yourself hard.

The joys of rate response !  The bottom line is that there is no PM which has RR acting as efficiently as a normal heart , they merely attempt to mimic a physiological effect and all fall short. I know that you have a Boston Scientific and that is better than most for endurance athletes.

From what you have said it does seem that it is not the actual figure for your maximum setting which is your problem. As Tracey says having a high number does not mean that you ever have to get that high.  It is how easily you get there and how easily your HR falls from that level that matters. 

Best of luck

Ian

Spasm

by Bela - 2017-04-15 20:21:29

I have spasm in the stomach area.  My dr say to ignore it but is is annoying.  How can this be fixed

thanks

by Czechmate - 2017-04-17 10:25:17

Thanks again for the comments.  I use this intel to be better prepared for my upcoming office visit.  I'll ask to dial back the rate response sensitivity.  If I get my HR down to 130-140, I should be good to go for the longer stuff.

MAX BPM..........

by Tattoo Man1 - 2017-04-17 16:16:16

.....................just check down the list of 'Experts' and 'Informed . long term trials'...what do you get.....in my view, soggy middle ground evidence based average numbers that an 'average' high school kid could design...

At 66..my BPM MAX should be 220-Age 66 = 154........that is cuising speed....175 easy...back to rest   ONE BPM PER BREATH.

Ian..I am Rate Response 'off'

I shall reopen back to PMC when I have been put through the grill

As ever PMC aims to bring the latest knowledge to those who need support and truth.

Ian...how chummy of you

 

 

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