The ithlete blog
Welcome to the ithlete blog, the central place to get the latest company news, read real user stories, get our take on heart rate variability news and research, get top tips on using ithlete and share your thoughts.
If you are looking for something in particular you can use the category sections, popular tags or the site search bar to jump right to what you need.
Featured post
HRV and Understanding Illness
Using ithlete to measure HRV and predict or understand illness and guide a return to trainingby Janet BirkmyreI suppose that most of us will have thought a little more about the effects of viral infection on our health and training over the past couple of years,...
Perfecting the pre-race taper with HRV
Do you KNOW how to get that taper just right? Too little and your adrenal system won’t be ready on race day, too much risks fatigue.
HRV and Covid – an ithlete user’s perspective
Covid is still in the news, but mostly because of the revelations about Matt Hancock’s WhatsApp messages. Otherwise, you might get the impression that Covid has gone away. I work in the NHS. Until a few weeks ago I was required to undergo a lateral flow test twice a...
Understanding your Acute to Chronic Training Load Ratio
Guiding your training load with the acute to chronic training load ratio is a great way to avoid over/under training and minimise the risk of injury. Using ithlete Pro automates this process for you, delivering easy-to-follow colour-coded guidance.
HRV and Covid – Training during and after infection
During the early part of the pandemic, in June 2020, ithlete won a grant to try and determine whether or not changes in daily HRV could be used to detect the onset and subsequent severity of the illness. What we didn’t know about at the time we conducted the survey of ithlete users, was how Covid would affect an otherwise healthy athlete’s ability to train during the illness and subsequent recovery.
Let’s take another look.
How To Handle An Unexpected ithlete HRV Reading
by Jan Birkmyre Thanks to ithlete I have been tracking my heart rate variability (HRV) via a reading taken every morning since 2012. It is so much a part of my routine these days that it sets the tone for my day. Using the ithlete Pro version of the app I can track...
HRV, Life Stress and Training
by Janet Birkmyre by Janet Birkmyre ithlete’s HRV measurement turns training data into intelligence - it adds value by personalising data that (while being based on solid research) is otherwise too generic to allow for optimal decisions about training to be made when...
Data informing the training process – but don’t forget the context!
Long time ithlete user Coach Chris Kilmurray recently shared these insights on Twitter. This is an excellent example of how many coaches use ithlete as an overview of how the athlete is coping with training and other stresses and then as a tool to dig deeper when needed.
ithlete and its role in a great athlete-coach relationship
Given that we have seen a lot less of each other in the past 10 months, it strikes me that these metrics have become an even more important part of the coaching relationship.
Using heart rate variability (HRV) to identify the onset and severity of COVID-19 – Summary report
Overview This post summarises the results from the project ‘Using daily heart rate variability measures to identify the onset and severity of COVID-19’. The project was run by HRV Fit Ltd, and funded by Innovate UK, and aimed to explore whether changes in HRV are...
Have you seen the new ithlete v4 update?
With ithlete v4 the way you interact with your data is changing. Interactive charts, smoother third-party integrations and better training guidance are just some of the tools ensuring you will train smarter every time.
HRV and COVID-19 in athletes. Is there a connection?
We have been asked by the UK Government to test the hypothesis that HRV may be a powerful diagnostic tool for Covid-19. This article will explain the relationship between HRV and Covid, focusing particularly on the implications for people who exercise regularly and...
How to send your HRV and wellness data from ithlete
Did you know that ithlete allows you to download and send your data to others? Here is a step by step guide to exporting your data from the mobile app or ithlete Pro.
We’ve been awarded a grant to research the relationship between COVID19 and HRV!
HRV Fit awarded a grant for business-led innovation in response to global disruption due to COVID-19 After being contacted by ithlete users reporting unusual Heart Rate Variability (HRV) values during possible COVID-19 symptoms, we considered what links there might be...
Lockdown Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
by Jan Birkmyre According to my daily heart rate variability (HRV) readings from ithlete, it is very clear my body loves this lockdown. On reflection, I suppose, that should not come as a complete surprise but even so, the magnitude of the improvement is a shock....
Top tips for using your HRV sensor
The ithlete sensors are the best around, independently validated for accuracy, convenient and durable. Some users don’t get the hang of taking measurements right away, so to ensure you don’t waste any time follow the tip tips found here.
Want to know more about ithlete?
Follow these four easy steps to get started with ithlete today!
Choose a heart rate sensor
To measure heart rate variability (HRV) with ithlete you’ll need a heart rate sensor. You have the option to use an ithlete finger sensor or chest strap monitor. If you have a recent iPhone, iPad or Android device you may like to use our Bluetooth Smart chest strap monitor, or alternatively grab a Polar type analogue strap (we also offer one of these) and an ithlete ECG receiver to pick up the signal. Visit the ithlete store to find your preferred sensor.
Download the ithlete app
ithlete is available on both iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. If you do want to check your model of smartphone or tablet is compatible check our FAQ page.
One minute daily measurement
After waking each morning relax and sit comfortably, slip on a chest strap or finger sensor and follow the on screen instructions to get an accurate reading of your heart rate variability. Taking the measurement couldn’t be simpler and in 60 seconds you will have a personalised training recommendation for the day.
Reap the benefits of training with ithlete
The idea is quite simple. Training is all about stress and recovery. A hard session, lack of sleep, mental stress etc. will lower your number. If your reading drops significantly, take this as an early warning that you are overloading the system. On the other hand a high score lets you know you should make the most out of the day. Benefits of this include avoiding overtraining, workout optimisation, guilt free rest days, improved performance and much more!