Heart Rate Drift (HR Drift)

Cardiac
Intermediate

The gradual increase in heart rate during sustained exercise despite stable pace and effort.

Clinical Definition

Heart rate drift, or cardiovascular drift, refers to the progressive increase in heart rate during prolonged steady-state exercise without a corresponding increase in workload. It is influenced by dehydration, rising core temperature, and metabolic strain.

TrailGenic™ Interpretation

In TrailGenic, HR Drift is a real-time signal of engine efficiency under altitude stress. Lower drift across identical terrain indicates improved cardiac conditioning and mitochondrial adaptation.

Why It Matters for Longevity

Reduced HR drift reflects improved cardiovascular resilience and autonomic stability. Over time, minimizing drift under load signals enhanced efficiency of oxygen delivery and energy utilization.

How It’s Measured in the Field

TrailGenic monitors:

  • Percentage HR drift over sustained climbs
  • Comparison across identical trail segments
  • Recovery speed after elevation spikes
  • Longitudinal changes across seasons

Common Misinterpretations

HR drift is not:

  • A sign of weakness alone
  • Always caused by dehydration
  • Fixed across all elevations

Related TrailGenic Concepts

Cardiac Recovery Slope
Elevation Load
Metabolic Flexibility

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