Estimating relative physical workload using heart rate monitoring: a validation by whole-body indirect calorimetry.
Measuring physical workload in occupational medicine is fundamental for risk prevention. An indirect measurement of total and relative energy expenditure (EE) from heart rate (HR) is widely used but it has never been validated. The aim of this study was to validate this HR-estimated energy expenditure (HREEE) method against whole-body indirect calorimetry. Twenty-four-hour HR and EE values were recorded continuously in a calorimetric chambers for 52 adult males and females (19-65 years). An 8-h working period was retained, comprising several exercise sessions on a cycloergometer at intensities up to 65% of the peak rate of oxygen uptake. HREEE was calculated with reference to cardiac reserve. A corrected HREEE (CHREEE) was also calculated with a modification to the lowest value of cardiac reserve. Both values were further compared to established methods: the flex-HR method, and the use of a 3rd order polynomial relationship to estimate total and relative EE. No significant difference was found in total EE when measured in a calorimetric chamber or estimated from CHREEE for the working period. A perfect linear and identity relationship was found between CHREEE and energy reserve values for intensities ranging from 15% to 65%. Relative physical workload can be accurately assessed from HR recordings when expressed in CHREEE between 15% to 65%, and EE can be accurately estimated using the CHREEE method.
Garet
Martin
M
Laboratoire de Physiologie, Service d'explorations fonctionnelles cardio-respiratoires, Saint- Etienne, France. martingaret@hotmail.com
Boudet
Gil
G
Montaurier
Christophe
C
Vermorel
Michel
M
Coudert
Jean
J
Chamoux
Alain
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect / Q000379:methods; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016526:Workload / Q000145:classification*