heart rate and exercise/walking

Hello, I have a question regarding heart rate and exercise. Is there any difference in the strain on the heart when, for example, you go for a walk or play golf, compared to light strength training, if you have the same heart rate during both activities? I have been told by my doctors to keep a heart rate below 120, but that I can still go for walks etc. I have spoken to three different cardiologists at my hospital who all have slightly different opinions. Some think it should go well to train, and others think the heart works in a different way in terms of pump function etc when strength training. Do you have any tips or similar on the subject?

My question is really, is there a difference in the stress on the heart if I exercise or walk when the heart rate is the same?

Recommend listening to our most recent podcasts on conditioning, where we discuss this. The demands and adaptations between strength training and sustained conditioning are not the same, even if similar heart rates are reached.

I’ve listened to the podcast and you make it clear that there are differences between strength and cardio regarding effects. But does this distinction extend toward other steady-state activities?

e.g., I’ve heard a claim that the heart rate elevation from a sauna gives you the same cardio benefits. Any truth to that claim? Can I get LISS benefits from a 25 minute sauna session if my heart rate remains elevated?

No, you would not get the same benefits.

What episode is it?

The most recent 2 episodes, 236, 237 (and soon, 238).

I can’t find any data that tells about the difference between exercise and heart rate, if the heart rate is the same and the training is different. Do you/you have any studies or articles I can read? I’m not English so it’s hard to hear through all three episodes and understand everything you’re talking about. I really appreciate all the help.

The change in heart rate is not the only thing that changes with exercise with respect to cardiovascular fitness. The reason the heart rate changes, e.g. the exercise demands, influences the types of adaptations (if any) you’ll get.

Resistance training does increase heart rate, but not as a means to supply the working muscles with more oxygen and energy, since they are not limited by this parameter. Similarly, conditioning exercise does require muscular force production (like resistance training), but does not really drive improvements in maximal muscular strength, as the conditioning tasks are not limited by this parameter.

I’m not sure what you’re looking for when you ask for “data that tells about the difference between exercise and heart rate”. We have reams of data cited in the podcast series regarding the adaptations generated from different modes, which are linked in each podcast’s description.

To your original post, walking is exercise. I’m not sure why the doctors recommended keeping your HR < 120 and so, I cannot comment on whether that’s appropriate or not.

I see, thanks for the reply. I really just wanted to know if strength training affected the heart to a greater extent than, for example, walking, if the heart rate is 120 regardless of the exercise you do.

It depends what you mean by “affect”. Resistance training has the potential to raise blood pressure and heart rate far higher than walking. Resistance training to a heart rate of 120 bpm is different than conditioning to a heart rate of 120 bpm, but I wouldn’t call one greater (or lesser) than the other. They’re just different due to the different demands.

OK I understand. It’s just frustrating not being able to exercise properly for six months…So I’m trying to find something to do to stay active and reduce the loss of muscle mass. I think I’ll start playing golf so that I have something to do and not go crazy. Thanks for all your help!​

Why can’t you exercise for 6 months?

As I mentioned in my other post where I also tried to find an answer to this: https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/forums/medical-q-a-with-dr-jordan-feigenbaum-and-dr-austin-baraki/87217 -training-after-peri-myocarditis

I’m at a loss and don’t quite know what to do. The doctors have said that I can gradually start training eventually. Now it’s been over a month and I still haven’t trained anything. Have asked them about how training is possible etc. but feel they don’t know enough about the disease/inflammation. I think it is strange that they treat patients exactly the same regardless of how serious the inflammation is. Everyone receives the same treatment.​​

Erik,

I can understand this is frustrating. I’m not trying to be obtuse or dance around the subject, but this is not something we can manage via a forum response. A consultation may be useful if your physician is unable to provide any guidance, but I bet if you directly ask them when you can start exercising, what intensity they recommend, and why they chose that approach, you’d have some answers. If there are complications to your particular situation, that will need to be addressed by someone with primary knowledge of your situation. That said- and as I mentioned in the initial post- I am not terribly worried about significant muscle loss without bed rest, severe illness, and/or malnutrition.

If you are not cleared to exercise, then it is what it is for the time being. There are risks and benefits to different approaches, but I do not know enough about your specific case to tell you how-to exercise and/or when to start.

I would not feel comfortable recommending RT over conditioning or vice versa in this situation.

-Jordan