What is HRV??
If heart rate is the amount of times your heart beats per minute, what is HRV?
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is the change of time between each heartbeat. There is a certain amount of time (milliseconds) spent between every heartbeat. The more different times spent between each beat, the greater the variability or higher the HRV.
HRV is correlated with our autonomic nervous system. The more stressed we are, the lower the HRV.
Parasympathetic State (rest and digest )
A healthy heart, at rest, does not beat in perfect rhythm. During the rest and digest state, our hearts should beat out of rhythm.
Example: Beat……………Beat…....Beat…………...Beat……Beat………..... Beat….Beat
The more variability of time between each beat, the more relaxed or parasympathetic state we are in (Meditation, rest and digest). Also, the higher our HRV, this is good during times of rest!
Sympathetic state (Fight or flight)
During states of emotional stress and intense movement our sympathetic system (fight or flight mode) kicks in and our heart beats more in rhythm.
Example: Beat.…Beat….Beat....Beat….Beat….Beat….Beat
The more rhythmic our hearts are, the more sympathetic state we are in (Fight or flight, high stress).
With a wearable like WHOOP, we can now measure this biomarker and tailor a program designed specifically for the individual struggling with stress and an underutilized parasympathetic system/vagal tone.
Take our quick 5 min quiz to see if your “Fight or flight” system is overactive!
WHOOP PARTNERSHIP
Until recently, measuring HRV was only available in a clinical setting, but the scientists at WHOOP have created a wearable device that takes over 100 heart rate measurements a second. (apple watch takes 20 measurements a second as comparison). Also to aid in sleep accuracy it measures body temperature and movement. Its this accuracy as to why First Principles Fitness chose WHOOP as a wearable partner. And every client will have 6 months of usage when purchasing a starter pack.