Using heart rate as a physical activity metric

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is critical for a healthy lifestyle. The current study assessed heart rate (HR) as a primary measure of moderate and vigorous PA with four typically developing children. First, individualized HR assessments were conducted to determine moderate and vigorous HR zones. Next, participants engaged in various exercises at a local YMCA facility (i.e., biking, elliptical, basketball, and exergame boxing) to determine how HR during these activities aligned with their individualized HR zones. During exercise bouts, HR was typically above moderate, but below vigorous HR zones for all participants. Additionally, exercises that restricted range of motion (i.e., biking and elliptical) engendered generally lower HR than exercises with greater range of motion. Vocal instructions to exercise at vigorous levels were effective at increasing HR to vigorous levels for one participant. The advantages of using HR as a metric of PA during assessment and intervention are discussed.

Physical activity in children: An evaluation of an individualized heart rate assessment.

“…Conversely, Gretchen’s HR reached VPA criteria when walking briskly, which is commonly considered a moderate activity. These individual differences are consistent with those identified in other behavioral research that measured HR while children engaged in specified activities (Eckard et al, 2019; Larson et al, 2011; Van Camp & Berth, 2018), and are consistent with the CDC guidelines that indicate relative intensity may differ from absolute intensity, as only the former takes into account individual fitness level. Genetic factors that influence HR (e.g., sex, race, or maturation) also may have contributed to the individual differences observed; thus, providing further justification for conducting IHRAs rather than depending on standard criteria.…”

“…Instructors could identify specific exercises associated with higher HRs, and also evaluate interventions that produce beneficial increases in HR for individual students. For example, Eckard and colleagues (2019) conducted IHRAs and used those HR levels to determine if less structured activities (e.g., exergaming or basketball) reached vigorous levels. In some cases, even while engaged in topographically similar behavior, children did alter their exertion levels to increase their HRs when instructed to do so.…”

“…The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2019) recommends that children engage in 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. Heart rate (HR) is a valid, precise, and sensitive measure of physical activity; however, most recommendations for target HR levels are rarely individualized (Eckard et al, 2019). The purpose of this study was to determine individualized HR zones indicative of light, moderate, and vigorous intensity.…”

“…One such study conducted an individualized heart rate assessment (IHRA) to identify VPA criteria (Eckard et al, 2019). The IHRA consisted of participants engaging in three different activities to assess three different levels of physical activity: being still (no physical activity), walking (MPA), and jogging (VPA) while HR was measured every 20 s. HR averages at each level were established by taking average HRs at the end of each trial.…”

Associations of Heart Rate Measures during Physical Education with Academic Performance and Executive Function in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In this sense, heart rate (HR) has been historically considered as an objective measure of physical activity intensity in children [30][31][32]. Specifically, HR as an important physiological marker of VO 2 max provides data at the individual level and is suited to categorize children's' physical activity intensity [33]. Further, new technological advances in sensors allow HR monitors to measure intensity and time in the HR zones in real-time during defined periods of the day (e.g., during physical education classes).…”