This week, I received an interesting question from Orson in Thailand about using HRV as a fighter.
After coaching fighters and analyzing performance data for over 15 years, I'll share something counterintuitive:
Some of your best training sessions might happen on days when your HRV scores suggest otherwise.Here's what the research and practical experience shows:
Recovery Scores Are Signals, Not Stop Signs
* Low HRV indicates an increased stress load
* High HRV suggests parasympathetic dominance
* Neither absolutely dictates training intensity
KEY MOMENTS
Follow along using these quick timestamps:
00:00 HRV Monitoring For Fighters
00:12 Understanding Different HRV Systems
00:59 Low HRV Scores: Why You Can Still Train Hard
01:20 The Four-Week Training Cycle Explained
01:59 Balancing Data With How You Feel02:27 High-Intensity Weeks: Managing The Red Flags
02:53 Stop Micromanaging Your HRV Scores
03:19 The Bigger Picture: Beyond Daily Readings
04:02 When Multiple Red Flags Really Matter
04:21 Making Smart Training Adjustments
Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2025/06/13/when-to-ignore-your-hrv-score-and-why/
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