Cooperation of heart rate and cardiovascular system | Heart rate during sports

Cooperation of heart rate and cardiovascular system

Heart rate and cardiovascular system are closely related. The cardiovascular system performs vital tasks, transports oxygen and nutrients and regulates the supply of heat. The heart is the motor of the human body and, via the vascular system, ensures that, for example, the muscle cells always receive sufficient oxygen, as otherwise no physical performance would be possible.

To ensure this supply, a balanced relationship between heart rate (pumping power of the heart) and the requirements of the cardiovascular system must be maintained. With its beats, the heart rate ensures that sufficient fuel (nutrients) is transported to the muscle cells, especially during sport, and is converted into energy by combustion. The body needs this energy in order to perform the physical performance required during exercise and sports. The more intensive a person moves, the faster the heart has to beat and the higher the heart rate has to be.

The feeling for your own body is becoming more and more important

In addition to heart rate, another point has come to the fore in recent years. Even it seems that the theory of MHF is outdated. The feeling for one’s own body is becoming more and more important and can even be more effective in training control than heart rate control with a pulse watch.

Especially in the field of cycling, the determination of the performed wattage has gained acceptance and has almost completely replaced heart rate control. In the field of mass sports, however, the pulse watch is still a frequently encountered aid to control training. However, unlike cyclists, runners are not so easy to measure their performance and speed is often used as an indicator.

Especially training forms like High Intensity Training (HIT) cannot be controlled effectively by pure pulse control. The development of a good body feeling is of great importance. It does not help athletes if they slow down on an incline just because the heart rate monitor starts beeping.

In addition, a slight overload is essential for successful training development. Because without training stimulus there is no progress.