Stress score during yoga

Hello everyone,

I am using my Epix Pro2 during yoga and in contrast to other activites it shows an increased stress score after the session. This is because my heart rate is higher but still low in zone 1 to zone 2. I certainly am more relaxed and revived after a yoga session and my HRV is also lower after than before.

Can Garmin correct this or why would a yoga class generate an increased stress score?

I am using the pre set yoga exercise option but leave it with one pose rather than keep pressing buttons during class which is not in line with a good and mindful and focused class.

Thank you for the support

Amiram

0 jaamgans over 1 year ago

stress score isn't mental stress and isn't necessarily HR focused, its based on your bodies autonomic nervous system (ANS).

"Divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, your ANS regulates your physiological systems to best match the expected demands of your current situation. The sympathetic branch dominates when it’s time for action. Your pulse quickens, blood vessels dilate, digestion is interrupted, and adrenaline flows. This is sometimes referred to as the fight-or-flight response. In quieter times, the parasympathetic branch is more dominant, and your body enters what is referred to as rest-and-digest mode. This is when your body can repair itself and replenish resources depleted during more hectic times." https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/garmin-technology/health-science/stress-tracking/

And there is a white paper on it which gives far more info, especially the table on page 7 which includes factors on what can change stress: https://assets.firstbeat.com/firstbeat/uploads/2015/11/Stress-and-recovery_white-paper_20145.pdf

I suspect its generating a higher stress score due to the strain on your body from the Yoga session. Generally post most activity tracking, most people experience an increase in stress post activity (part of the reason why its not trackded during). How quickly your body can recover from the session will relate to intensity, fitness levels and general recovery state.

0 6970943 over 1 year ago in reply to jaamgans

Thank you for the response and helpful links.

While my yoga sessions are certainly exercise and are also intense I feel they enhance the parasympathetic state i.e. lead to clearly calmer body and mind.

Interestingly when I run or cycle this seems to be weighted differently in regard to stress by the algorithm.

Best Regards

Amiram

0 Dr Phil over 1 year ago in reply to 6970943

To an extent how you feel is irrelevant as the stress reading is derived from your heart rate variability (HRV). If that is detected as falling then the algorithm would indicate higher stress. But, deriving HRV from analysis of the blood pulse wave as it transits through the blood vessels is complicated and easily affected by movement and changes in flow caused by wrist flexion etc. If you want a better indication of how your body is reacting to the yoga get a chest strap. Since that detects the electrical signals generated by the heart it's much easier to measure HRV directly.

0 JT4321 over 1 year ago in reply to 6970943

Do you see the stress score in your run activity? I've only seen the before/after stress score in yoga activities.

I've been able to decrease my stress score after yin yoga sessions - which are very gentle. I would expect in other activities that my stress would always be increased due to strain from the effort.