The best way to monitor exercise intensity is oxygen consumption. Since Vo2 is very expensive method, an alternative could be HR. But the % of HRmax does not match to the % of VO2max. This problem is solved by the Karvonen method which calculates % of HRmax taking into account also the HR at rest and intoduces the concept of HR reserve.

It is a good idea to use scientific methods, especially the heart rate (since there have developed many app software in cell phone markets), to prescribe and classify the exercise intensity for the general population. Although Conconi et al. had proposed the concept of heart rate deflection point to take the place of traditional concepts, e.g., the anaerobic threshold, lactate threshold etc. [1], it seems not a valid method to assess the anaerobic threshold [3]. In our experiences, it is difficult to define the heart rate deflection point in most of health participants during the incremental exercise test.

To my knowledge, some researchers [2, 4, 5] attempted to use the heart rate variability threshold to find out the possible method to assess the anaerobic threshold. However, we need more works on this topic.

If the purpose is only for prescribing the exercise intensity for sedentary adults, I recommend you to read the book: ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (http://www.acsm.org/about-acsm/media-room/news-releases/2013/03/13/acsm-to-preview-9th-edition-of-exercise-guidelines) for gathering more available and reasonable information. You may also use the formula (206.9 – 0.67*age) to calculate the maximum heart rate, and then use the Karvonen formula to set the intensity zone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_rate; http://www.brianmac.co.uk/hrm1.htm).

1. Bodner ME, Rhodes EC. A review of the concept of the heart rate deflection point. Sports Med. 2000 Jul;30(1):31-46.

2. Boettger S, Puta C, Yeragani VK, Donath L, Müller HJ, Gabriel HH, Bär KJ. Heart rate variability, QT variability, and electrodermal activity during exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Mar;42(3):443-8.

3. Bourgois J, Coorevits P, Danneels L, Witvrouw E, Cambier D, Vrijens J. Validity of the heart rate deflection point as a predictor of lactate threshold concepts during cycling. J Strength Cond Res. 2004 Aug;18(3):498-503.

4. Karapetian GK, Engels HJ, Gretebeck KA, Gretebeck RJ. Effect of caffeine on LT, VT and HRVT. Int J Sports Med. 2012 Jul;33(7):507-13.

5. Michele RD, Gatta G, Leo AD, Cortesi M, Andina F, Tam E, Boit MD, Merni F. Estimation of the anaerobic threshold from heart rate variability in an incremental swimming test. J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Nov;26(11):3059-66.

Thank you for your replies =)

The population in question is semi-elite field hockey players.

I am currently busy with my Masters degree and I aim to quantify their match intensities by means of HR analysis (physiologic demands) as well as GPS monitoring (physical demands) and then grouping these 2 separate variables into 3 intensity zones (Low, Medium & High). I then want to compare these physiologic and physical intensity zones.

That is why I need information on HR zones - we are going to categorize the HR-values into the 3 zones according to the VT and RCP points attained during the Yo-Yo Level1 test, but I see there are many other methods as well.

Just looking for alternatives ;-)

Well, since this classification of intensity is for your master thesis/study, you should understand that the VT and RCP both are derived from the measurements of O2/CO2 during incremental exercise test, as Pantelis Nikolaidis mentioned before. However, you may already have participants’ maximum heart rate from the Yo-Yo test, you can try to read the study of Borresen and Lambert (2009). There are many ways to quantify the training load in this study. And you may have some thoughts to classify the intensity zones, for example, the method proposed by Edwards (1993).

1. Borresen J, Lambert MI. The quantification of training load, the training response and the effect on performance. Sports Med. 2009;39(9):779-95.

2. Edwards S. The heart rate monitor book. Sacramento (CA): Fleet Feet Press, 1993.

By the way, good luck to your study, and have fun.

I forgot to mention that the players will be wearing a portable gas analysis system (Metamax 3B, Germany) and HR-monitor during the execution of the Yo-Yo IR1 ;-)

And this will be done every 2 weeks prior/post to their matches so that the HR-values and VT and RCP points are as accurate as possible.

Thanks again for your help Ching-Feng, really apreciate it!*

The VT and RCP may able to be drew and got by the gas analysis system through recalculating the running speed for each level/shuttle during the Yo-Yo test. And then you can try the method introduced by Lucia et al. (study in the Borresen & Lambert, 2009) to classify the intensity zone.

Ching-Feng Cheng  and Bojan Makivic provided great answers. I can add that all cognitive aspects are also important. Feeling and feedback are terms we need to adopt also in this environment, be focus on % of intensity is fundamental, but not enough in my view.

Nice Topic, Congrats!