FTP - whats yours?

[SwissVan]

Dont know where else to post this:

 

Is there scientific reason, or psychologic reason why my heart rate would increase riding in the drops vs riding on the top of my handlebars with the same power output?

 

Thanks

Heart rate normally increases if you are working harder (ignoring other factors like environment, wind temp...)

This implies that in the drops your body is working harder in that position... for some reason maybe to hold that position you recruit more muscles, harder to breathe (due to restricting lungs...)

 

Normally the higher your body position the more your HR would be (gravity) and if you move to a more horizontal position your HR could drop. Tri athletes that use tri bars will especially benefit as they are literally resting on the arm pads in a horizontal position. Usually this is only by a few beats and not a large amount.

 

How much difference do you see?

Edited April 13, 2016 by SwissVan

[hayleyearth]

Heart rate only increases if you are working harder (ignoring other factors like environment, wind temp...)

This implies that in the drops your body is working harder in that position... for some reason maybe to hold that position you recruit more muscles, harder to breathe (due to restricting lungs...)

 

Normally the higher your body position the more your HR would be (gravity) and if you move to a more horizontal position your HR could drop. Tri athletes that use tri bars will especially benefit as they are literally resting on the arm pads in a horizontal position. Usually this is only by a few beats and not a large amount.

 

How much difference do you see?  

 

I don't agree.

 

It also increase if one (I for sure) is more stressed - and not referring to riding effort.

I can feel my heart rate goes up when I am on the lowers, more so around other people and it is because I am not use to it and I feel twitchy and hence get stressed. 

 

It has gotten better over the last couple of months for sure with more time spent down there, but it is still there.

[SwissVan]

I don't agree.

 

It also increase if one (I for sure) is more stressed - and not referring to riding effort.

I can feel my heart rate goes up when I am on the lowers, more so around other people and it is because I am not use to it and I feel twitchy and hence get stressed.

 

It has gotten better over the last couple of months for sure with more time spent down there, but it is still there.

Correct, I would say stress falls under other factors

Fixed the "only" word

[lechatnoir]

Dont know where else to post this:

 

Is there scientific reason, or psychologic reason why my heart rate would increase riding in the drops vs riding on the top of my handlebars with the same power output?

 

Thanks

 

Not sure about heart rate, but on the drops, I push more watts and can hold power output steadier. Perhaps your increased HR is a symptom of that. Perhaps mine does that too. Is should check

[Jakkals.]

Heart rate normally increases if you are working harder (ignoring other factors like environment, wind temp...)

This implies that in the drops your body is working harder in that position... for some reason maybe to hold that position you recruit more muscles, harder to breathe (due to restricting lungs...)

 

Normally the higher your body position the more your HR would be (gravity) and if you move to a more horizontal position your HR could drop. Tri athletes that use tri bars will especially benefit as they are literally resting on the arm pads in a horizontal position. Usually this is only by a few beats and not a large amount.

 

How much difference do you see?

I'm not the supplest person alive, can be a factor. 

[Patchelicious]

I'm not the supplest person alive, can be a factor. 

I would be as bold as to say that it probably is. Your body is under more stress and this will show in HR.

Edited April 13, 2016 by Patchelicious

[Krypt0n1te]

Did my first ever FTP test yesterday. FTP = 220W

 

Unfortunately I am a fat POS at 100kg so I'm sitting at 2.2W/kg

 

Luckily I have A LOT of weight to lose so that will increase the W/kg somewhat. Then I need to mention that I had to hold back on the power a bit to keep my Heart Rate in check. When my Cardiovascular fitness increase I should be able to push a couple extra Watts.

 

Anyway, here's to my road to 4W/kg! 

[Veebee]

Did my first ever FTP test yesterday. FTP = 220W

 

Unfortunately I am a fat POS at 100kg so I'm sitting at 2.2W/kg

 

Luckily I have A LOT of weight to lose so that will increase the W/kg somewhat. Then I need to mention that I had to hold back on the power a bit to keep my Heart Rate in check. When my Cardiovascular fitness increase I should be able to push a couple extra Watts.

 

Anyway, here's to my road to 4W/kg! 

 

Goodluck. We all have to start somewhere hey. I've been hovering around 2.4w/kg for some time now, goal is to to get to over 3w/kg by September or so.

[Patchelicious]

Did my first ever FTP test yesterday. FTP = 220W

 

Unfortunately I am a fat POS at 100kg so I'm sitting at 2.2W/kg

 

Luckily I have A LOT of weight to lose so that will increase the W/kg somewhat. Then I need to mention that I had to hold back on the power a bit to keep my Heart Rate in check. When my Cardiovascular fitness increase I should be able to push a couple extra Watts.

 

Anyway, here's to my road to 4W/kg!

Good luck dude, and remember there are lots of people who have done it and can help along the way

['Dale]

Dont know where else to post this:

 

Is there scientific reason, or psychologic reason why my heart rate would increase riding in the drops vs riding on the top of my handlebars with the same power output?

 

Thanks

 

 

Yip, that's the dilemma that TTers sit with

How to get aero AS POSSIBLE whilst being OPTIMALLY COMFORTABLE to drive the biggest power

 

Keep on working on being more flexible, Antonj

Keep on working in the drops while pushing good watts

The body can adapt to a degree. It just takes time and consistent effort.

[Krypt0n1te]

Goodluck. We all have to start somewhere hey. I've been hovering around 2.4w/kg for some time now, goal is to to get to over 3w/kg by September or so.

 

 

Good luck dude, and remember there are lots of people who have done it and can help along the way

 

Thanks for the encouragement and motivation guys. I'll be sure to ask if I need help and will update as FTP change! (Weight already coming down)

[Jay_B]

I have a similar question to AntonJ with his heart rate spiking...

 

Found lately when doing Threshold intervals im struggling with my breathing, feel like im sitting in a sauna and cant get a full breath in. Legs feel nice and comfy and can push out 20-30min intervals at threshold but my breathing i feel like im going to black out from lack of oxygen...

 

Recently been put on chronic medication for asthma so dont know if that is causing it or if im bumping the ceiling of my VO2Max... am slowly now starting to work this zone and AC zone.

 

Any suggestions?

[Neverfit]

So I did my 1st 20min FTP yesterday.... was not as bad as i thought it would go...

Sure the results are not great but overall I'm ok with it. At least I now have a base to work from and measure improvement....hopefully!

 

So to name and shame...

Power: 215W

Weight: 85kg

W/kg: (215x0.95)/85 = 2.40

 

some serious training required here....

[Cheese]

I have a similar question to AntonJ with his heart rate spiking...

 

Found lately when doing Threshold intervals im struggling with my breathing, feel like im sitting in a sauna and cant get a full breath in. Legs feel nice and comfy and can push out 20-30min intervals at threshold but my breathing i feel like im going to black out from lack of oxygen...

 

Recently been put on chronic medication for asthma so dont know if that is causing it or if im bumping the ceiling of my VO2Max... am slowly now starting to work this zone and AC zone.

 

Any suggestions?

Maybe move to slightly heavier gear/slower cadence. This will tax the legs a bit more and give the lungs a breather.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Okay, so tried to do a warmup session yesterday, and when I realised that I wouldn't be able to train for as long as I wanted to, decided to give the last 2 minutes a bit of a go. Did a total of 24 minutes, at varying wattages. Average over 24 min was 201w (1.92w/kg) at 88rpm & 161bpm. 

 

Last 2 minute average was 385w @ 100rpm & 172bpm (3.67w/kg). I'll try the 20 min FTP test sometime this weekend or early next week. 

[nonky]

I have a similar question to AntonJ with his heart rate spiking...

 

Found lately when doing Threshold intervals im struggling with my breathing, feel like im sitting in a sauna and cant get a full breath in. Legs feel nice and comfy and can push out 20-30min intervals at threshold but my breathing i feel like im going to black out from lack of oxygen...

 

Recently been put on chronic medication for asthma so dont know if that is causing it or if im bumping the ceiling of my VO2Max... am slowly now starting to work this zone and AC zone.

 

Any suggestions?

 

I have been on various chronic lung meds and have never found that they have a negative impact on power training.  Maybe check with your Dr or, better yet, go see a proper pulmonologist?