Why should you use a monitor to follow up your customers training and progress?

By Pierre-Luc Dubé

I often get asked why I take so much data when I assess or follow up with a client. In all simplicity, my answer is: “to adapt and personalize their training”. As the saying goes: “He who does not know where he comes from cannot know where he is going.” Indeed, this principle applies well in training. The more information we have, the easier it is to create a program that is tailored to the client and then validate its effectiveness. We therefore have an advantage in retaining all the relevant information that allows us to target our client’s abilities in terms of training, but also in terms of recovery. We will take into account various physiological, physical and even psychological elements that can influence training results.

First of all, our customers perception of energy level is in itself an indicator of fatigue. However, it is important to combine this personal perception with more objective data collection. Explosiveness and grip strength are two important parameters that are greatly affected by the accumulation of fatigue. Why grip strength? Quite simply because this data is correlated with the level of general strength of an individual. The nervous system is normally the most affected by the lack of recovery. Knowing that a pronounced accumulation of fatigue gradually leads to overtraining and a loss of performance capacity, the qualities of power and strength directly linked to the reactivity of the nervous system are two variants that will change more depending on fatigue level.

Fat gain can also be an analytical tool. Indeed, certain folds are influenced by hormonal changes. A deterioration in the ratio of testosterone and cortisol can be observed by the increase in the percentage of fat during prolonged periods when the body is subjected to stress. However, this indicator does not necessarily mean that we are in the presence of overtraining.

Then, taking initial data allows us to have a starting image, but also to have a more precise appreciation of the level of our customers. Thus, it is possible to prescribe our exercises according to their shortcomings while integrating their personal objectives. In addition, it is easier to establish a plan and a progression in the exercises used. This part is important for us to ensure security, but also to keep the customer motivated. To develop the physical qualities of a client, it is important to seek constant stimulation. The body always ends up adapting and beyond physical adaptations, we must continue to bring challenges to the client in order to maintain his interest. A motivated client is more likely to adhere to the plan and achieve results. In the same vein, a client who sees improvements related to his goals will remain more motivated by strengthening his feeling of superior personal efficiency.

In order to analyze an improvement, we must be able to see if the training has the desired effect on our client. Some individuals respond better to specific stimuli, and taking data allows us, among other things, to target and use it to their full potential, or to correct it if the effects are not felt.

On another note, monitoring our training with the help of a monitor allows us to work and develop more precisely the desired muscular and cardiovascular qualities. Certain target intensities allow us to preferentially develop specific aspects or parameters to perform in a sport. This also represents a tool to supervise and manage the level of fatigue of an athlete. Fatigue can increase the resting heart rate in addition to reducing the variability. The variability is not related to the number of beats per minute, but to the differences that exist between the durations of contraction of each of the beats. This, being controlled by the autonomic nervous system, will be reduced when the accumulation of fatigue is felt. Some types of heart rate monitors have an option to monitor this variant using a monitor. In addition, it is easier to manage the intensity during competitions or training, which avoids premature exhaustion and sub-maximum performance.

In short, using a monitor and taking data regularly allows us to measure the real effects of training, both physically and psychologically, but also to know how far it is possible to push our clients. The use of an indicator is often not enough to analyze the condition of our customers, which is why the most effective tool remains the combination of several factors.

References

• Wind A.E., Takken T., Helders P.J.M., Engelbert R.H.H. Is grip strength a predictor for total muscle strength in healthy children, adolescents, and young adults? European Journal of Pediatrics 2010 ; 169(3) : p. 281-287
• Legros P. Diagnostics of overtraining. Science & Sports 1992 ; 7(1) : p. 51-57
• Gremion G. & Kuntzer T. Fatigue and reduction in motor performance in sportspeople or overtraining syndrome. Rev Med Suisse 2014 ; 10 : 962-5
• Urhausen A, Gabriel H, Kindermann W. Blood hormones as markers of training stress and overtraining. Sports Med 1995; 20: 251–76
• Godin G. Les comportements dans le domaine de la santé Comprendre pour mieux intervenir. Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal 2012 ; 328 p.
• Schmitt L., Regnard J, Desmarets M, Mauny F., Mourot L., Fouillot J-P., Coulmy N., Grégoire Millet G. Fatigue Shifts and Scatters Heart Rate Variability in Elite Endurance Athletes 2013. PLOS