Is Continuous ECG Recording on Heart Rate Monitors the Most Expected Function by Endurance Athletes, Coaches, and Doctors?

Abstract

Heart rate monitors (HRMs) are important for measuring heart rate, which can be used as a training parameter for healthy athletes. They indicate stress-related heart rhythm disturbances—recognized as an unexpected increase in heart rate (HR)—which can be life-threatening. Most HRMs confuse arrhythmias with artifacts. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings from sport HRMs for endurance athletes, coaches, and physicians, compared with other basic and hypothetical functions. We conducted three surveys among endurance athletes (76 runners, 14 cyclists, and 10 triathletes), 10 coaches, and 10 sports doctors to obtain information on how important ECG recordings are and what HRM functions should be improved to meet their expectations in the future. The respondents were asked questions regarding use and hypothetical functions, as well as their preference for HRM type (optical/strap). Athletes reported distance, pace, instant HR, and oxygen threshold as being the four most important functions. ECG recording ranked eighth and ninth for momentary and continuous recording, respectively. Coaches placed more importance on ECG recording. Doctors ranked ECG recording the highest. All participants preferred optical HRMs to strap HRMs. Research on the improvement and implementation of HRM functions showed slightly different preferences for athletes compared with coaches and doctors. In cases where arrhythmia was suspected, the value of the HRM’s ability to record ECGs during training by athletes and coaches increased. For doctors, this is the most desirable feature in any situation. Considering the expectations of all groups, continuous ECG recording during training will significantly improve the safety of athletes.