Michael Johnson's Heart Rate During a 400m

Let me guess: It starts out kinda high from the pre-race pump up, then drops a little just before the gun, then slowly starts to rise, and after 30 seconds or so starts to really go up, and continues rising through the finish and for some seconds after. Close?

From Men's Journal Oct 2000, based on an nbcolympics.com study:

"In the 400-meter final at this year's trial, Johnson finished at 43.68, the fastest time in the world this year. While he blurred to victory, his pulse made a stately climb from 141 beats per minute at 50 meters to 177 at the finish line. His bpms were higher in slower preliminary rounds than in the final. In an earlier 400 race, his heart rate dropped during the race."

results... wrote:

From Men's Journal Oct 2000, based on an nbcolympics.com study:

" In an earlier 400 race, his heart rate dropped during the race."

That's the one. His heart rate dropping was why I was so interested in it. I wish I could find a graph of it.

Heart rate is not a valid method of measuring effort in events as short as this. The HR may be indicating the rest period in multiple heats or the length of warmup. For me, and for people I've coached, the best result in a final comes with a much shorter (not less intense, but less effort) pre-race warmup, and this may be what is measured with a lower HR in a final. It is rather doubtful that he ran less hard in a final.

Does MJ wear a heart monitor in races? How do they know this?

He actually ran the race with two fingers on his neck the whole time taking his own pulse.Actually, I was wondering the exact same thing.

doobie wrote:

Does MJ wear a heart monitor in races? How do they know this?

doobie wrote:

Does MJ wear a heart monitor in races? How do they know this?

He was wired up for a couple of races with telemetry, also recorded stride rate and position on the track.