Heart Rate Variability Status; Performance Condition - Garmin FORERUNNER 255 Series Owner's Manual

Heart Rate Variability Status

Your watch analyzes your wrist heart rate readings while you are sleeping to determine your heart rate variability
(HRV). Training, physical activity, sleep, nutrition, and healthy habits all impact your heart rate variability. HRV
values can vary widely based on gender, age, and fitness level. A balanced HRV status may indicate positive
signs of health such as good training and recovery balance, greater cardiovascular fitness, and resilience to
stress. An unbalanced or poor status may be a sign of fatigue, greater recovery needs, or increased stress. For
best results, you should wear the watch while sleeping. The watch requires three weeks of consistent sleep data
to display your heart rate variability status.
Color Zone Status
Balanced
Green
Orange Unbalanced
Low
Red
No color Poor or No Status Your HRV values are averaging well below the normal range for your age.
You can sync your watch with your Garmin Connect account to view your current heart rate variability status,
trends, and educational feedback.

Performance Condition

As you complete your activity, such as running or cycling, the performance condition feature analyzes your pace,
heart rate, and heart rate variability to make a real-time assessment of your ability to perform compared to your
average fitness level. It is approximately your real-time percentage deviation from your baseline VO2 max.
estimate.
Performance condition values range from -20 to +20. After the first 6 to 20 minutes of your activity, the device
displays your performance condition score. For example, a score of +5 means that you are rested, fresh, and
capable of a good run or ride. You can add performance condition as a data field to one of your training screens
to monitor your ability throughout the activity. Performance condition can also be an indicator of fatigue level,
especially at the end of a long training run or ride.
NOTE: The device requires a few runs or rides with a heart rate monitor to get an accurate VO2 max. estimate
and learn about your running or riding ability
Appearance
Description
Your seven-day average HRV is within your baseline range.
Your seven-day average HRV is above or below your baseline range.
Your seven-day average HRV is well below your baseline range.
(About VO2 Max. Estimates, page 21).
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