Saturday, December 28, 2019

HRV artifact effects on DFA a1 using alternate software

After writing the previous post on the issues of Kubios artifact correction, I decided to see if alternate HRV software would have the same effects on the DFA a1 index.  My thought was that perhaps Kubios just has some computational error in their calculations.  On the other hand, the artifact corrected rise in the DFA index may simply be the result of applying a given interpolation method.  We will evaluate a well documented software package called HRVanalysis.  This was developed by a group at a French university:

They have a good instructional manual and the initial paper linked above documents the various HRV methodology very well.  In regards to error correction, they use a cubic spline approach:
In order to replace invalid beats, the software therefore provides automatic correction of the RR series, inspired by the algorithm developed by Kamath and Fallen (Kamath and Fallen, 1995). First, false beats are detected using Cheung's algorithm (Cheung, 1981): a high and low threshold are set for the relative variation in successive RR intervals (+32.5% and −24.5%, respectively). Second, for each detected error, the number of missing beats is estimated by comparing the total time duration within the error period with the duration of the immediately preceding beat. If the number of beats to recalculate is 3 or less, a cubic spline interpolation is done. This configuration generally originates from a single supraventricular or ventricular ectopic beat, or from an isolated R-peak missdetection. For 4 or more successive errors, the missing beats are interpolated by copying and inserting the same number of previous RRs between the first and last valid RR Although, these corrections generally results in a clean RR signal, this type of automatic algorithm can produce inconsistent values when the original EKG or RR signal is too corrupted, with lengthy portions of successive false beats. It is therefore recommended to visually inspect and review each series before performing HRV analyses. Additionally to RR correction, the software enables excluding parts of the signal from analysis, and the number of corrections is displayed in the results.

Although I will not go through a full tutorial of using this software, a few things should be pointed out.  In the preferences, there is an option to automatically correct artifacts.  Under most circumstances this should be checked unless one was to do beat by beat correction (which can be done).


Here is what the RR series looks line in the program:
This was from a recording of my Polar H10 indoor cycling file from the last post.  The artifacts are in red.  The boxed areas were the 5 minute intervals at 170 vs 190w as well as the last 2 minutes of each section for computation.

Here is what a cleaner file looks like with only one artifact (arrow).  The RR intervals are all about 500 msec:

In the last post, I compared 5 minutes of cycling at about 170 vs 190 watts, looking at simultaneous tracings of artifact free (Hexoskin) vs Polar H10 (1-4% artifact)
A close up of the last 2 minutes of the190w section (20w above VT1) looks like this:
  • Each blue spike upward is an artifact.  The RR series is plotted over time.  If a beat is missed, the RR gap widens, hence the blue spike of RR time.  If this is a 2 minute window with a HR of 137 bpm, there are 274 beats.  Factoring in 6 artifacts (counting the 4th blue spike twice), the percent artifact would be about 2.2% - well in the "acceptable" range.

With no artifact correction the DFA a1 was about .9 with a HR of 137 bpm:
 
  • After automatic cubic spline artifact correction, the analysis changes.
  • The DFA a1 decreases to .759:


 A 30 second earlier window (same net length) shows similar results:


How does the same sequence look with no artifacts?

The same 2 minute block of 190w cycling (about 20w above VT1 for 5 minutes) -  Hexoskin tracing with no artifacts:

No RR spikes as expected, steady RR times.

The DFA a1 and other HRV parameters came out to this:
  • The DFA a1 is .498 with a mean HR of 137 bpm.
  • If the 2 minute window is shifted 30 seconds earlier the DFA a1 result is about the same:

Summary:
  • The bottom line is that artifact correction done by either Kubios automatic, Kubios threshold or a different HRV software using cubic spline interpolation will all lead to elevation of the DFA a1 index as compared to a recording with no artifact (Hexoskin).  This seems a limitation of the artifact correction methods and not an intrinsic bug in Kubios.  
  • The HRVanalysis software is a powerful tool and in many respects comparable to the free version of Kubios.  The team responsible for it's creation and maintenance should be proud of their work.
  • As discussed in the previous post, reliance on the DFA a1 change from correlated to uncorrelated white noise values to delineate training zone 1 to 2 transition (VT1) could be of questionable accuracy with current artifact correction methods.  
  • It is beyond the scope of this brief post to speculate on what limit of artifacts are reasonable to get accurate DFA a1 results.  However, the Polar tracings in this and the previous post had 1-4% artifacts which is generally deemed acceptable.  It is clearly not.
  • The effects of artifacts on higher power intensity associated DFA a1 decline may not be as critical since we are less interested in zone 3 effects. 
DFA a1 vs intensity metrics via ramp vs constant power intervals 

Sunday, December 22, 2019

DFA a1 and Zone 1 limits - the effect of Kubios artifact correction

In several prior posts, the use of the non linear HRV index, DFA a1 was discussed as a marker of zone 1 to zone 2 transition.  This of course coincides with the VT1/LT1, however since both parameters can be subject to error, an accurate assessment of DFA a1 may be an even better training zone marker.  Also in a prior post, a warning was given about the effects of correcting artifacts in the RR data by the Kubios software.  Although the literature review was sound, the window length I used for deriving DFA a1 was not optimal.  The recommended window of measurement for this index should be 2 minutes.  I decided to do another set of comparisons using the proper window time (2 min).  To simplify the issue only 2 cycling power intervals were done, VT1 power and 15-20 watts higher.  In a perfect scenario, the DFA a1 would be about .7 at VT1 power and suppress close to .5 (white noise) with just another 15 or 20 watts added.  

The question is: Does the presence of even minimal "acceptable" artifacts create an erroneous DFA a1 result that would yield the wrong zone 1-2 demarcation?  I am using the latest version of Kubios premium and extracted the DFA a1 results computed every 20 seconds of the past 2 minutes of each activity.  



The first test was done on an indoor trainer with very steady power and little body motion.  The second was done outside on a smooth road.  In both cases, the Polar H10 belt was worn with the Hexoskin "Pro" shirt and plenty of conductive gel was used.

Here is a listing of the first test indoors with artifacts, DFA a1 values for the Polar H10 using both medium and autocorrection.  The free version will only use the medium correction method.


Which graphs out as such.
The first half is at 168 watts and the second is at 186watts:

  • The big issue is the shift to higher DFA a1 complexity with artifact correction.  This occurs with either Auto or Threshold correction methods in Kubios.  I listed the raw data so you can see for yourself.
  • The blue dots are the zero artifact values which stay remarkably stable in the .7 to .8 range at the VT1 power, with prompt suppression to .5 (white noise) just 20 watts higher. 
  • The red dots are the Polar derived reading with low artifacts.  Although there is a change in DFA from low to higher power, it is substantially muted and well above the .7 cutoff at all times.
  • The Hexoskin had zero artifacts, so no correction is needed.
  • If I was attempting to stay in zone 1, or was testing myself for the DFA a1 transition point of .7, the Polar (with artifact correction) would have misrepresented the true values.
  • In my opinion this is extremely important to know.  Inappropriate (high) exercise efforts will occur if one is relying on the DFA a1 to delineate zone 1 to 2 transition.  Reproducing these findings across sessions and individuals will not be reliable either.

How does outdoor look?
Six minute intervals were done at 170 then 190 watts on a smooth road.  This was an hour after the indoor session.
Raw data:


With the DFA a1 comparison below:
Blue dots are the artifact free Hexoskin DFA a1 values, red from the Polar with Auto artifact correction:

  • Again we see that the DFA a1 is shifted higher in the face of artifacts with Kubios correction.  This occurs with either type of correction method.
  • In the artifact free tracing, there is a sharp transition from correlated to uncorrelated (white noise) in the DFA a1 tracing with just a 20 watt increment of power (blue circle).  This does not occur in the artifact corrected tracing (red circle).

Summary:
  • Both of these examples serve as a warning.  Given the findings here, the current artifact correction methods of Kubios will increase the DFA a1 complexity to enough of a degree to misrepresent zone 1 transition and VT1.
  • I am not implying that the Polar H10 is artifact prone.  However in my situation, I rarely get clean tracings.  On the other hand, the Hexoskin is generally near artifact free, even at heart rates near 180 bpm.  
  • If one is relying on getting an accurate DFA a1 during dynamic exercise it seems essential to avoid artifacts at this time (and not rely on correction).  
  • Perhaps in the future, Kubios or other HRV software will be able to correct RR artifacts without substantial effects on DFA a1. 
  • Finally, the use of Kubios artifact correction can lead to situations where both a given individual's findings or research investigation into DFA a1 will yield erroneous results.

Part 2 - HRV artifact effects on DFA a1 using alternate software 

DFA a1 vs intensity metrics via ramp vs constant power intervals  

    Thursday, November 21, 2019

    Stryd running power - validation with VO2 testing

    I am always looking for interesting wearable devices but since I don't run, have neglected that particular sport.  I recently reviewed some impressive Stryd data metrics and wanted to share them.  First, what is Stryd?  It is essentially a power meter for runners.  Using various motion sensor data fields and rules of physics it is able to compute effective running power.  The hardware includes both 3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis accelerometer and now wind sensing in the newest version.



    Is this tech new?  No, in fact many years ago I used something called an "Ibike", now rebranded as the "Powerpod".  This device used similar principles of physics to estimate cycling power:

    Unfortunately, it was a pain to calibrate and was not very accurate compared to conventional power meters.

    Given my prior poor experience with the "Powerpod" and my personal avoidance of running (bad knees), I never paid much attention to Stryd.  However, recently my friend the cross country skier did his VO2 (near) max test and was wearing the Stryd.  This gives us an ideal opportunity to see how well the Stryd tracks with VO2.  Why is this important?  With cycling power, we have the simple ability to test an established strain gauge related power meter (like the Powertap, Assomia) against something like the Powerpod that uses environmental sensors (speed, wind, acceleration).  The Stryd has no easy direct comparison device.  But, since work rate (power) is linearly related to VO2 (oxygen consumption), especially up to the second lactate threshold, we can benchmark the Stryd to an alternate reliable benchmark.

    Are there any validation studies? 
    I searched through Pubmed and found very little published work on the Stryd.  The company claims to have VO2 vs Stryd power testing results on their website, but of course that is open to skepticism.

    We do have this comparison study:


    Which does not look good at all.  A very weak relation of Stryd power to VO2 exits, hence their conclusion:
    The main issue here is that the test was done with an early device, the Stryd Pioneer which is a chest mounted triaxial accelerometer:

    I almost wonder if they would have been better served not even producing this device.  

    In response to the comment from the Stryd developers (see below), here is the reply from the authors of the above paper:
     

    A different study looked at the newer Stryd from a different point of view.  They simply wanted to see how consistent the measure of power was on a treadmill at a constant velocity.  Theoretically, with no change in wind, incline or running dynamics, there should be a steady power output as in cycling on an indoor trainer at constant cadence.

    From the study:
    To the best of the authors’ knowledge,
    just one study has examined its validity and reliability (in this case,
    to measure spatiotemporal gait characteristics [9]), with no data
    to demonstrate the validity and reliability of this device for measuring
    power and related variables
    . For this study, only two out of
    twelve metrics were used (running velocity and power output).
    The agreement between measured intervals (watts) at the same treadmill speed was good.
    For example the last graph showed near identical power over 0-120 vs 0-180 seconds:

    With the conclusion:
    The results show that
    power data during running, as measured through the Stryd™ system,
    is a stable metric with negligible differences, in practical
    terms, between shorter (i. e., 10, 20, 30, 60 or 120 s) and longer
    recording intervals (i. e., 180 s). 
    In summary, these results show that power output during running,
    measured through the Stryd™ system, is stable over time
    when velocity is constant and under controlled conditions, with no
    differences between different time intervals recorded during a
    3-min run. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the analysis conducted
    shows that longer recording intervals yield smaller systematic
    bias and narrower limits of agreement.
    Therefore, if maximum
    accuracy is required (e. g., scientific approach), longer recording
    periods must be used (i. e., 2–3 min).
    • So one still needs to be careful with the shorter time recordings, but they are still reasonable.

    We still don't have a published VO2 vs power study of the newer, foot mounted unit.  Thanks to my friend the cross country skier we at least have data in one indivisual.  

    To start with, let's look at what VO2 vs cycling power looks like from my data.  This was using the Assomia Duo pedals (1% accuracy) and VO2 done at the University of Florida Sports Performance Center.

    Here is an example from my VO2 max testing - cycling power vs VO2 (oxygen usage):
    (VO2 average from last 60 sec of interval, cycling power average from each 3 minute stage)

    Note the last value falls off (it's an error in the gas exchange measurement), we won't count that.  Otherwise, the curve is quite linear, with only a few watts deviation off the fit.

    How did the cross country skier do in regards to VO2 vs Stryd power?
    Here is his treadmill test, plotting power over time with each stage encompassing 5 minutes, followed by a brief time between stages to do lactate testing, then resumption of running.  The trend of higher power per stage is very evident.

    A close up of the last 2 stages shows no major lag from zero power to full treadmill speed. 


    Therefore, "heart rate like lag" is avoided (from Kubios):



    Finally, the all important VO2 vs power:
    (VO2 average from last 60 sec, Stryd power from the entire 5 minute interval)


    • This looks every bit as close as my cycling ramp shown above!

    Why do we need power when the heart rate to VO2 curve is just as good if not better?
    After all the heart rate to VO2 relation is very tight and predicable.
    • In this case, if he knew his heart rate, the VO2 would be easily extrapolated.
    Why do we need power?
    • One problem with simple heart rate is measuring high intensity work rates during HIT.  For instance, if you do a 30 second burst interval at high power, the heart rate does not fully stabilize until the interval is over.  
    • In addition, if you train by pace/speed, knowing the speed is problematic given the state of GPS tracking accuracy.  
    • Many studies point to the importance of intensities beyond LT2/MLSS as critical for optimal training.  Those higher power zones can't be properly monitored by heart rate, especially in the early part of the stage.  
    • If one is an advocate of the "fast start" strategy, power is an essential way of achieving that type of session.  Careful power modulation is the only way to perform a fast start interval.
    Where we don't necessarily need power monitoring is during the mind numbing, long, slow runs that should be kept below VT1.  In that case, heart rate stability kinetics are very acceptable to keeping effort down.  However, in situations like hill and trail running, having running power may be of additional benefit to staying in the proper zone 1 location.

    Summary:
    • The current Stryd device appears to measure power at stable levels at constant treadmill speeds.  The older Pioneer device is not recommended.
    • According to a plot of VO2 vs power in one individual, the Stryd relative power is linear.  In other words, with a given percent boost in power, the percent oxygen consumption rises the same relative amount.  This indicates there is relative accuracy of the device.  Absolute accuracy is not easily testable with this method.
    • Usage with HIT and running intensities above MLSS would make sense since heart rate will lag well behind the effort.  Studies have shown the downsides to intervals at "threshold" intensity (MLSS).  Stryd usage may be a way to avoid excessive zone 2 activity.
    • Usage in recovery and zone 1 training is potentially useful especially with less than stable running conditions.  As discussed in previous posts, high volumes of zone 1 are essential to proper performance development.
    Many thanks to my friend for sharing his data!

    See also:
    How to get your training zones from HRV and muscle O2 data
    VT1 correlation to HRV indexes - revisited  

    Friday, November 8, 2019

    VT1 correlation to HRV indexes - revisited

    In a previous post, the correlation of the first ventilatory threshold with various HRV indexes was discussed.  Since that post was based on my data only, was before I knew my true VT1 by gas exchange and was early on in my learning curve regarding HRV, I though it might be interesting to take another look at the situation addressing these issues.  To that end, let's revisit the possibility of getting an idea of VT1 power or VT1 heart rate based on HRV.  The data will be that of myself, and the cross country skier (on a treadmill, running).  We will focus on the following HRV indexes:
    • SDNN
    • SD1
    • HF power x HF freq 
    • DFA a1

    SDNN:
    The SDNN index is defined as:
    The standard deviation of the IBI of normal sinus beats (SDNN) is measured in ms. "Normal" means that abnormal beats, like ectopic beats (heartbeats that originate outside the right atrium’s sinoatrial node), have been removed. While the conventional short-term recording standard is 5 min (11), researchers have proposed ultra-short-term recording periods from 60 s (30) to 240 s (31).
    If the RR intervals are artifact and arrhythmia free, this equates to calling this SDRR - standard deviation of RR intervals over a time period.  
    Note should be made that this is a time domain index compared the HF power which is frequency domain with SD1/DFA a1 both in the non linear category.

    SDNN as a measure of VT1 detection was looked at by Karapetian et al in 2007

    Methods:
    The testing consisted of 3-min stages [17, 32], allowing more stability of RR
    intervals, and began with the subject resting on the bike, with
    no pedaling as a baseline rest. Pedaling began at the second
    stage, at which exercise intensity started at 25 W. Every 3min,
    intensity increased at 25-W increments. Subjects were instructed
    to maintain a cycling speed of 50 revolutions per min.
    Exercise test time ranged from 15 to 35min
    The RR intervals from the last 2min of rest and each stage of exercise
    were used for analysis of HRV.

    To determine the HRVT, the MSD and SD of heart rate intervals
    for each stage of exercise were graphically plotted against work
    rate (l" Fig. 1 and 2, respectively). Then, in a manner similar to
    the determination of LT, a visual interpretation was made to locate
    the point at which therewas no further decline in HRV, thus
    indicating vagal withdrawal. Thus, this HRV deflection point was
    defined as the HRVT

    This resulted in a plot of work rate vs SDNN, second figure on the right.  The flattening of the curve was the recorded deflection point:
    Interestingly they found a difference between LT1 and VT1 that was statistically significant:
    The mean difference between VO2 vt and VO2 lt was small (0.12 L/min) but
    statistically significant (p < 0.05); however, a strong linear relationship
    was observed (r = 0.89).
    SDNN deflection vs LT1:
    The results for the determination of HRVT during incremental
    exercise testing, using RR interval data, showed similarities in
    VO2 (L/min) values between LT detection and HRVT detected by
    HRV deflection point. The mean difference between VO2 hrvt and
    VO2 lt was nonsignificant (p > 0.05), and shows no bias between
    mean values. A strong correlation betweenVO2 values for LT and
    HRVT was observed (r = 0.82). The mean VO2 hrvt–V˙ O2 lt was
    1.40 ± 0.46 (L/min).
    SDNN deflection vs VT1:
    The mean difference between VO2 hrvt and VO2 vt was also nonsignificant
    (p > 0.05), and shows no bias between mean values.
    A strong linear relationship betweenVO2 hrvt andV˙ O2 vt was also
    detected (r = 0.89), where the mean VO2 hrvt–V˙ O2 vt was 1.46 ±
    0.46 (L/min)
    • Therefore, from this study, SDNN seems a valid HRV index to explore for VT1/LT1 association.
    • They also found a disparity between VT1 and LT1 power.

    More on what SDNN signifies:
    How does SDNN look graphically at low and high intensities?
    This is a distribution of RR values from Kubios of a 2 minute window while coasting before a 5 minute maximal interval:


    • Notice the wide area of distribution of the values of RR intervals (in red).

    There is a more narrow RR value spread with moderate effort:


    And finally, a very restricted set of RR values at high intensity (this is the 5 minute maximal interval):



    SD1:
    In a prior post, SD1 was covered and I would refer back to those studies for details.  An early study not reviewed previously was done by Tulppo et al showing correlation of the VT1 with the SD1 index:

    With SD1 dropping from rest to VT1 with minimal drop thereafter:

    HF power and HF peak frequency:
    The HF power and HF frequency were used by Cottin et al to find VT1.  They also concluded that in some subjects whose VT1 could not be detected by HF power alone, the product of HF power x HF frequency peak uncovered the breakpoint:





    Individual examples of two subjects data:

    The cross country skier underwent a partial VO2 max test recently.  I say partial, in that the test was not done to total exhaustion and the peak lactate was 4.5 mmol.  Therefore, the metabolic cart software could not spit out it's usual results such as VT1 nor LT1.  Before looking at the HRV index correlations, we will need to get the VT1 and LT1 ourselves (putting into practice some of the concepts covered in other posts).  

    Here are the raw values of the ramp.  The protocol was 5 minute per stage, increasing by 1 km/hr with both gas exchange and Hexoskin vest as monitoring units.


    Here is my attempt to get the VT1 by the V slope technique.  

    First a plot of VO2 vs heart rate was done to confirm that the relationship is linear:

    It looks great, with a nice linear regression.  As discussed before, this relationship is the foundation of Garmin's attempt at the "performance condition" metric which should be valid but will be subject to error if the comparison is of a session with different ambient temperature, altitude, hydration status or cardiac drift.

    Next - a plot of VO2 vs VCO2.  The v slope technique is where we pick two different linear set of values, draw the lines and see where the intersection is.  The underlying idea is that the linear relation shifts after the VT1:

    As the legend says, the fit lines were ended/started at a VO2 of about 3 L/min.  The exact intersection was 3.08 L/min which corresponded to a heart rate of 155 bpm on the first graph (HR vs VO2).

    LT1 determination as per the Newell formula:
    The LT via log log corresponds to a heart rate of 147 bpm.  The accuracy may be affected by not having a lactate higher than 4.5 mmol on the ramp and instead, using another value of 5 mmol during a separate 5 minute constant 15 km/hr interval later during the testing.  Regardless, the LT1 and VT1 are seldom at the same work rate which is part of the problem of training intensity exercise prescriptions.

    Now that the LT1, VT1 are known, how do they match up with the HRV indexes? 

    SDNN:
    Here is a tracing of VO2 vs SDNN, with a marker at the corresponding VT1:


    And Heart rate vs SDNN with the range of VT1/LT1 in red:
    • The SDNN deflection point conveniently fits right between the VT1/LT1!



    My data (5 minute ramp stages, 2 minute Kubios window calculations):

    • The SDNN deflection point yet again falls between the VT1, LT1 as in the cross country skier example.



    SD1 examples:
    Cross country skier (5 minute ramp stages, 2 minute Kubios windows at the end of each stage):
    • The SD1 curve "breakpoint" occurs within the range of the Vt1 to LT1 zone.
    • No further change occurs after that heart rate.


    My ramp (5 minute stages, 30w per stage, 2 minute Kubios windows):
    • Here things are not so clear.
    • There is no pattern, no breakpoint.
    • The dynamic range of SD1 is very restricted, 2.1 to 2.7.  In the XC skier example, he starts above 6 and the nadir is around 3.  For some reason I don't have high values even at low power.  On other tracings this pattern is the same:

    Another look at SD1:
    The following is from my VO2 max test (3 minute stages, 2 minute Kubios windows).  Perhaps SD1 will now show a pattern.


    • Same issues, no pattern and restricted range of values.

    The possibility of having an SD1 rise at even trivial levels of effort (for whatever reason) was explored.  I recently traveled to North Carolina where the roads were either going up or down, with nothing flat.  Therefore, the efforts were either above VT1 power or coasting downhill with no pedaling.  

    As you can see in the following SD1 tracing (2 minute windows), the SD1 is capable of increasing to "normal" levels (value=8) with a rise during each episode of coasting:

    The bottom line is that SD1 may be quite valid in some individuals for VT1/LT1 demarcation, however in my case it was not.  In my example, SD1 drops very early with super low intensity efforts, making one wonder if it may signify another physiologic/biochemical threshold that in most subjects takes place near the VT1.


    HF power x HF peak freq:
    Using the metric derived by Cottin at al, this is the XC skier data:
    Raw data



    The plot:
    • Both the raw data (HF peak freq, HF power and product of the two) and plots appear to have no correlation to the work rate - and certainly not the VT1/LT1.

    This is a plot of HF power in the time varying feature of Kubios, since there may be a bug in the software, giving inaccurate HF power results as "m2" (see below):
    • There still appears to be no relation of heart rate to HF power in normalized units.

    My data:
    Here is my HF peak freq x HF power vs cycling power:
     Based on the raw data:


    Since this did not make any sense given the published study, I went back into Kubios and looked at the time varying curve for HF power in normalized units:
    The grey colored area is the normalized HF power which clearly rises at the VT1 and plateaus at the VT1 +30 watts.  There may be a bug in the Kubios software, since the single display values do not show this.  I have reported it and will update this post as needed.

    HF peak x power validity:
    This is much murkier than the SDNN/SD1 and I don't know if it's related to a Kubios bug, my failure to calculate the index or simply from a less than universal index.  Remember why the authors derived an additional formula in the first place, it was due to some subjects not having a proper HF power relation.  
    Furthermore, Blain et al. have demonstrated that it was possible to detect both VTs from fHF (TRSA) when TRSA1 was corresponding to VT1 and TRSA2 was corresponding to VT2. However, in 20% of their data it was not possible
    to detect VTs 
    Given these issues, it may not be the best choice for VT1 derivation.

    DFA a1
    I have already presented my data as well as the cross country skier in a previous post.  You may notice that the XC skier had a loss of RR complexity at a much lower heart rate (in that post) than during the VO2 max test below.  Part of that differential may be because the VO2 max test was done at altitude, whereas the previous ramps were not.  

    How does the DFA a1 tracing look during the VO2 max test done at altitude?

    • The plot shows that the heart rate corresponding to a DFA a1 of .7 is about 145, just below LT1.
    • A DFA a1 of .5 (white noise) is reached at the stage above the VT1.  Avoiding exercise associated with this index value should provide sessions at or below the VT1.
    • The relationship of complexity loss with work rate is present with the heart rate shifted up about 10 bpm, presumably from altitude. 

    Comparison between SDNN and DFA a1 during and after a 5 minute interval at VO2 max power:
    Since SDNN and DFA a1 seem to be the most reliable and consistent of the markers tested for delineating low intensity exercise, here is a comparison of each side by side, before, during and after a 5 minute interval at VO2 peak power (watt level derived from my last and highest stage on the VO2 max test).  After a 5 minute interval at that high power, the following 5 minutes were done at about 20 watts above the VT1, then a brief active rest for 3 minutes then another 6 minutes at 173w (at VT1):


    The RR intervals were extracted from the Hexoskin data, raw values and tracing below:

    • Although the scaling is different, the patterns are remarkably similar (including overlap of values).  Initial data values during coasting are high, typical of at rest readings.  At the end of the 5 minute max interval, DFA a1 and SDNN are at historic lows, then rise somewhat but are still in the area above VT1/LT1.  Both indexes still don't recover fully 15 minutes later but are getting closer to the usual values at VT1.
    • Both DFA a1 and SDNN appear to be reasonable markers for VT1/LT1 transition and behave in a parallel fashion over an undulating set of intervals.





    Summary: