As the mechanisms of performance sheds it’s mystery through the process of science, we are becoming increasingly aware of just how critical recovery is for maximizing adaptation and performance gains. The concept of recovery is multivariate and includes factors of sleep, nutrition, movement, and the cascade of hormones, environmental factors, and stimulus that are all connected. Although. not impossible, keeping track and measuring key biometrics can be a challenge without assistance. Lucky for us, technology has developed various tools (apps & devices) that can gather this information, collate, and provide direction on how to best maximize recovery.
The genesis of self monitoring devices and apps, are becoming inexorably sophisticated in their ability to read biometric information on heart rate, workout intensity, sleep, and establish baselines and insights to provide summated direction on recovery and recommendations for optimal future training intensities to maximize performance growth and overall health. Having used and researched many different brands, the Whoop Strap in particular seems to do all of this and more. Although the Whoop strap includes a $30 per month fee to use, the insights and graphs provide insightful direction on your next workout intensities matched against sleep feedback for future optimization. There are also communities that can be joined based off sport and activity interest, providing comparison of progress and ratings of how one compares to other athletes and casuals in their chosen domain.
From the world of business, a maxim that holds true outside of profit margin & KPI is simply stated: “You cant improve what you don’t measure” – Peter Drucker. Taking this a bit further, I believe that understanding the measure of input and output leads to a more measured man.
WHOOP STRAP
The whoop strap centers around establishing your individual baselines after only 4 days of recording your biometrics. Following, the strap will automatically metric and collate information about your workout intensities (strain), sleep, and provide recovery assessments and guidance on recovery. The mobile app also provides some really handy graphs that can pulled to gather further insights into habits and trends.
Whoop quantifies how the body adapts to stress and provides recommendations for the days workout based off your personalized recovery metrics. Using biometrics such as resting heart rate and variability, respiratory rate, blood oximetry, skin temperature, and sleep performance (all phases). Whoop estimates recovery and needs on a scale of 1-100; codified through color: green (good recovery and ready to perform), yellow (maintenance; may need rest but can handle a moderate intensity in exertion), and red (body is working hard to recover from heavy training, illness, or stress).
As the science of training and recovery continues to develop, it is undeniable that biometrics and personalized algorithms will likely be the standard for generating optimized periodization and subsequent adaptation. Interestingly, Whoop’s data can be used in real time to understand the lingering effects of a hard workout, or just how much a recovery session hastens readiness for the next grind. One can also use as a way to track how much a hard night of drinking or multiple poor diet decisions effects overall performance and recovery. Recall, you get what you measure.
MAN & MACHINE
Now the question remains: is it time to become a cyborg? Is the singularity ahead of Kurzweil’s time prospectus? Man & Machine as one in efforts to optimize living and performance? Are we selling half our soul to the companies that charge for service, but ultimately make their true profit by sharing data for other ends?
Left Coast Caveman rides the balance between chaos and order of ancestral and modern practices. Here we investigate with a clear compass of pragmatism while paying homage to moderating distractions of tech and the contemporary now. And with these tenets in high regard, we endorse this wearable tech. The insights generated by this real time data allows for a new dimension of customized coaching that serves as an indispensable means to get the most out of progress and recovery; while aiding in navigating the perils of modern hunting and gathering in the 21rst century.
