What is Fatigue?
Muscular fatigue is an exercise-included decline in the ability of a muscle to exert the maximal force.
What are the causes of fatigue?
- Decreased cardiovascular capacity.
- Decreased energy supply.
- Impaired muscle recruitment.
- Poor biomechanical conditions.
- Decreased motivation.
What is the method for measuring Heart Rate via Monitor?
- Attach connector to strap and adjust length if required.
- Wet both electrode areas of strap with water.
- Place strap around client’s chest. Avoiding hugging the client ask them to hold the connector in place, while you bring the strap around the clients back. Make sure it is in direct contact with skin and in line with the sternum below pectoral muscles.
- Check that polar logo is in the centre, adjust strap so its firmly on the skin.
- Using watch place close to the strap and let sync.
- Always ensure that watch is turned off or returned to the home screen this will prolong battery life.
What do you do when Trouble Shooting?
- Following checks should be undertaken prior to moving into another method of measuring HR.
1. If the HR watch is within 1m from the strap & no other HR monitors are within 1m.
2. Check the strap is fit snuggly on the individual & Is flush with skin.
3. Check if it is still moist.
4. Make sure the electrode is clipped into the strap properly.
5. Exit back to the time/date/home screen on watch and start again.
What are the resting heart rate classifications?
<60 bpm= Bradycardia (slow rate)
60-100 bpm= Normal rate
>100 bpm= tachycardia (fast rate)
What is the assessment criteria for measuring heart rate?
Observes correct hand hygiene
• Gels hands prior to and at completion of consultation
Communicates professional instructions with the client
Correctly prepared HR strap
• Wets strap with water in appropriate position
Correctly fits strap
• No hugging of client
Able to get watch started efficiently
• Demonstrates familiarisation with equipment
Communicates correct resting HR to client
Able to appropriately troubleshoot, if necessary
Able to accurately palpate in HR monitor completely fails after all troubleshooting has been undertaken
What are the palpation points when measuring heart rate?
- Radial Artery= 3-5cm from the base of the thumb on the lateral side.
- Carotid Artery=On the neck lateral to the larynx.
What is the method for measuring Heart Rate via Palpation?
- Have the arm rested on a support.
- Locate the artery by palpation.
- Apply pressure with the middle & index finger.
- Count the number of pulses felt in 15sec using a stopwatch. Make sure as you start the stopwatch you count the first pulse as 0.
- Multiply the number of pulses in the first 15sec by 4 to get HR in beats per minute. (Always record HR as a whole number)
