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Ramp Test Max HR

Hurricane151Hurricane151 Posts: 632
edited September 2012 in Training, fitness and health
so tonight i decided i need to do the ramp test to help deternmine my Max Hr and therefore some training zones for the winter.

The test went pretty good and i was wrecked at the end and i wasn't able to pedal anymore. My HR maxed out at 182bpm. The issue I have is that I have had my HR up closer to the 187 mark on a few events this year. Does this suggest I simply didn't try har enough on the test or did I do something wrong or can you actually exceed your tested "max" hr ( That final option just sounds rediculous tbh)
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  • danowatdanowat Posts: 2,877
    Hurricane151 wrote:
    Does this suggest I simply didn't try har enough on the test

    Pretty much.
  • Alex_Simmons/RSTAlex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    danowat wrote:
    Hurricane151 wrote:
    Does this suggest I simply didn't try har enough on the test

    Pretty much.
    Perhaps, perhaps not. It may be that HR simply did not max out, despite being unable to push any harder, or that the other readings are erroneous (need to examine the context of those other readings to assess that). There are many things that can influence heart rate response, and some that of course can influence the HRM.

    I would suggest setting training levels based on the test, then using own assessment as to whether training at those levels is about right when compared to descriptions of perceived exertion. If they seem a little easier/harder than that, then adjust the training "zones" accordingly. Keep in mind the normal daily variance in HR response, and that the levels should be fairly broad in any case.
    RST Sport : Coaching - Training Plans - Powermeters -- My blog -- AeroCoach Australia
  • davidofdavidof Posts: 2,405
    The Ramp Test is done on a turbo right?
    http://www.wattzap.com - Train with Power on your Turbo
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/1078863
  • ric/rstsportric/rstsport Posts: 681
    yes.
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  • Trev The RevTrev The Rev Posts: 1,040
    Hurricane151 wrote:
    so tonight i decided i need to do the ramp test to help deternmine my Max Hr and therefore some training zones for the winter.

    The test went pretty good and i was wrecked at the end and i wasn't able to pedal anymore. My HR maxed out at 182bpm. The issue I have is that I have had my HR up closer to the 187 mark on a few events this year. Does this suggest I simply didn't try har enough on the test or did I do something wrong or can you actually exceed your tested "max" hr ( That final option just sounds rediculous tbh)

    Did you do the test indoors? If so what was the temperature and did you use an effective fan?
  • Hurricane151Hurricane151 Posts: 632
    I did the test on the turbo in the garage but without a fan.

    no idea what the temp was
    Trev The Rev wrote:
    Hurricane151 wrote:
    so tonight i decided i need to do the ramp test to help deternmine my Max Hr and therefore some training zones for the winter.

    The test went pretty good and i was wrecked at the end and i wasn't able to pedal anymore. My HR maxed out at 182bpm. The issue I have is that I have had my HR up closer to the 187 mark on a few events this year. Does this suggest I simply didn't try har enough on the test or did I do something wrong or can you actually exceed your tested "max" hr ( That final option just sounds rediculous tbh)

    Did you do the test indoors? If so what was the temperature and did you use an effective fan?
    TWITTER
    Specialized Tarmac (Commuter)
    Specialized Tarmac SL3 (Sunday Best)
  • Trev The RevTrev The Rev Posts: 1,040
    As someone said earlier, many things affect heart rate. You would expect overheating to increase heart rate but many find it difficult to match indoor heart rates to outdoor heart rates or indoor power to outdoor power.

    I would invest in a good fan. The effect of outdoor air cooling is considerable. You may find it better to base indoor heart rates on your indoor heart rate rather than on your max outdoor heart rate.
  • davidofdavidof Posts: 2,405
    I don't know if there is any relevance to this but I notice that my max heart rate drops when hills go beyond a certain steepness. I can push to around 190 bpm on a 7-8% grade but HR drops below 180 on a 10-12% grade. My assumption is that I can't work efficiently on the steeper grades due to gearing, weight so heart is not at full capacity. Maybe this explains the difference between what the OP sees on the turbo and road?
    http://www.wattzap.com - Train with Power on your Turbo
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/1078863
  • Trev The RevTrev The Rev Posts: 1,040
    davidof wrote:
    I don't know if there is any relevance to this but I notice that my max heart rate drops when hills go beyond a certain steepness. I can push to around 190 bpm on a 7-8% grade but HR drops below 180 on a 10-12% grade. My assumption is that I can't work efficiently on the steeper grades due to gearing, weight so heart is not at full capacity. Maybe this explains the difference between what the OP sees on the turbo and road?

    Some people find this running up steep hills. Almost as if the heart has an optimal rpm / stroke volume for the steepest hill. As the hill eases off the heart rate increases even though the perceived effort seems less.

    Shame we can't easily measure stroke volume like we can heart rate whilst running or cycling.
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