[Mikko Nassi]

This isn't a scientific study of fitness required for karting or anything of the sort - just a bit of fun.

I put my heart rate monitor on yesterday while testing at the Sepang Kart Track, and this was the result:



I also put it on today for a 11km run and here's the graph from that:


On the kart trace you can see that my heart rate stabilised at around 120 - until the sun came out even hotter.. after which it jumped up to around 130 and hovered around there for the rest of the session. The average for the entire session was 118, which included the out and inlaps all the way from/to the pits. The maximum was a quick spike to 141, which was probably a big slide I had to correct. It also jumped to 140 when I lifted the kart onto the stand (not shown on the graph).

The 120-130 range is probably about where I'd be with slow jogging or fairly fast walking on a flat terrain.

The track was very low-grip and Sepang is one of the least physically demanding tracks to drive when it's low grip (but becomes very physical when it is properly rubbered in - at least for your upper body/neck). I was also driving with 0 pressure and I wasn't following anyone. It was really hot though, which makes a massive difference to heart rate.

The run wasn't maximum effort but it was a decent pace for me, and it was really hot as well. The course is quite hilly so it does pump up the heart rate.

I'll have to put the monitor on for a race at the next event and see how it compares to practice. I'd expect it to be 10-30pm higher in intense racing.

Anyone else has recorded their heart rate while karting?

[Jules]

Mikko,

Nice analysis & write up.....and was wondering what was used for this? ie. which HRM watch?

I run very often ( short runs ) but I am no where at your fitness level and I would probably hit 180+ at times.....yeah, unfit and thankfully, no dizzy spells when the old pump goes that quick.


Er....any news on the Sunnto?

Cheers,
Jules

[Mikko Nassi]

Polar RS400 with infrared transfer to my pc. Sampling rate of 1hz for the BPM, compared to 10hz on the Unipro for tracking the RPM .

Check your email for Suunto update .

[Ryan104]

Good write up!

Ive been into heart rate monitoring in the last few months whilst training cross country.
I have the basic polar with no computer analysis available, though its good enough for pacing myself during my fitness workouts.

My runs are shorter intense workouts which I usually sit at 160 on flat land and when climbing/running steep hills/steps i get around 180 to 190+. Then ill calm back down to 160 until the next climb. This is more of an intense session on a 6km course pushing hard up hills and stabilizing on leveled ground. If going for longer distances like Mikko, for sure would need to reduce the HR for endurance.

Last night i was watching the V8 Supercars on very difficult street circuit in NZ and they were displaying the heart rate of one of the drivers for a lap and he was constantly sitting at 180 bpm sometimes reaching 190 bpm.

Have been curious on my HR whilst karting. will prob take it to next session

[mlange]

I recently got into using a Suunto so that i could monitor my heart rate. Still feel uncomfortable wearing the heart rate monitor when I kart (just like I cant wear neck braces or rib vests).

I had my first chance to test it during the weekend, a few minutes after I pulled in after a heat, my heart rate was about 160.

Mikko, per your post above, does the Suunto allow extracting of data like your Polar?