The feasibility of recreational runners tracking heart rate variability, sleep quality and rate of perceived exertion: An observational feasibility study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Activity trackers offer athletes an array of information, which may help optimise performance. To date, research on Heart Rate Variability (HRV), sleep quality and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), data that may be gathered by commonplace activity trackers, has largely ignored recreational athletes.

METHODS A feasibility study utilising an observational design was conducted with 15 recreational runners who used their wrist-based device to track sleep quality and HRV, and recorded RPE (via OMNI-RPE) for each session. Simple descriptive statistics were collated. Pearson’s linear correlations and multiple liner regression models were used to assess the variables relationships. Qualitative feedback on participants’ experiences were gathered.

RESULTS Method adaptations were made to maximise participant recruitment retention, and data analysis efficiency. It was not feasible to calculate HRV using participants’ devices; therefore, mean heart rate (HR) was used instead. However, RPE was significantly predicted by mean HR and sleep quality. Participants reported difficulty with the OMNI-RPE scale and suggested more feedback opportunities and confirmation after submitting RPE ratings was required.

DISCUSSION Tracking HR, sleep quality and RPE using recreational runners’ personal wearable activity trackers over eight weeks was feasible. Relationships between these measures were consistent with current literature. Future studies may opt to use chest straps to measure HRV. More research examining participant experiences with, and interpretation of, the OMNI-RPE scale is required.