September 10, 2007
Bell Curve
Here's a look at the declining numbers. When I first starting training with a heart rate monitor about 16 years ago my estimated cycling LT (lactate threshold) was about 178 BPM. Today, at nearly 54 years of age, my cycling LT is about 152 BPM. Much of that decline has occurred in recent years as the bell curve gets steep.
Yesterday's cyclocross training session included a set of 3x10 minute intervals. While I seemed to be cranking out some watts and rolling pretty good, the numbers are almost laughable.
If we could see your stroke volume that would give a better picture of any decline. Perhaps you heart is stronger and larger and has adapted to pump a larger stroke per beat, making high HR relative? I'd guess you are still physiologically stronger than guys half your age.
Posted by: bob at September 10, 2007 01:39 PMProbably something to all that, this morning my resting heart rate was 36 BPM. That's not so unusual for an endurance athlete but sometimes the nurses at the doctor's office are surprised by that low a number.
Posted by: dan at September 10, 2007 06:30 PM