Orthostatic Heart Rate Test

Athletes are often under a lot of pressure to perform well on a regular basis. This pressure can result in the athlete overtraining and/or becoming stressed. The Orthostatic Heart Rate Test is used to monitor the athlete's state of health.

Requirements for the Orthostatic Heart Rate Test

To perform the Orthostatic Heart Rate Test you require

• Stop watch
• Knowledge of how to take you pulse rate

Performing the Orthostatic Heart Rate Test

• lay down and rest for at least 15 minutes
• record your pulse rate (beats/min) - R1
• stand up
• 15 seconds later record you pulse rate (beats/minute) - R2
• record the difference between R1 and R2

If the difference is greater than 15 to 20 beats then it is probable that the athlete has not recovered from the previous days training or is under stress. The athlete should consider adjusting the training programme to allow them to recover.

Free Calculator

• Orthostatic Heart Rate Test Calculator - a free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that you can download and use on your computer.

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

• Articles on Performance Evaluation
• Evaluation and Performance Tests

• Training Books
• Training Products

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

• Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
• Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
• Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
• Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
• The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
• Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
• Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
• Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
• PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2