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HEART RATE ANALYSIS TO EVALUATE EFFORT

Defined by Matheson as referring to persons providing full physical effort on repetitive, large muscle group activity should demonstrate a corresponding increase to heart rate. While there is no exact value to prove full effort, Matheson evaluators are trained to use a base-line rate of 65%-70% of that client’s maximum allowable heart rate (220-Age). For persons who are very fit who are very de-conditioned, evaluators should be prepared to adjust this number up or down accordingly. A further factor to consider in use of this method relates to medications that can affect heart rate. Examples of these types of medications are beta-blockers and antihistamines. One must be cautious in implementing too low of heart rate elevation to show full effort, as other non-effort related factors can also increase heart rate to some extent (i.e. Nervousness, Apprehension, Anxiety, White-Coat Syndrome, Caffeine, Nicotine, etc.). It is suggested that evaluators seek to minimize such external factors where possible, and ask clients directly if they feel nervous or anxious during relevant tests (Kyi, Enright 1999).