Why Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Predicts Athletic Performance & How To Improve HRV Naturally

Don Moxley is Director of Applied Science and Brand Development at Longevity Labs Inc.

Don draws upon his career as an athlete, a sports scientist, and an instructor to lead and educate on the science of autophagy and longevity.

A former captain and Big 10 Championship winner with the Ohio State University wrestling team, Don served as the university’s first sport scientist. He has helped athletes achieve two Olympic medals, four World Championships, seven National Championships and 23 All-Americans.

2:30 Don Moxley’s Background

Growing up poor, Don loved wrestling
Became an exercise physiologist and professor
Worked with high performance wrestling athletes at his college employment

4:15 What Is Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

HRV is difference in amount of time between heartbeats
Heart rate is variable when we are more rested and recovered
Don worked at Polar (device company), which specializes in HRV

5:45 How Don Used HRV As A Diagnostic Tool For Athletes

Don measured readiness using HRV
The coaching staff created a workout based on readiness of athlete
If a wrestler had a HRV less than 70 going into a tournament, then they usually lost
Readiness and recovery became very important to predicting wins

08:34 Does HRV Apply In Business And Emotional Intelligence

Recent paper highlighted link between HRV and emotional intelligence
Empathy takes energy.
HRV also enhaces cognitive and emotional parts.

09:45 How To Measure HRV?

Morning measurement is usually the best
But body also releases cortisol in the morning, so HRV may drop a little bit
Measuring before athletic practice or workout is also effective
Night time sleep is biggest contributor to HRV

15:00 Why Some Athletes Cannot Get High HRV

Some people are hyper vigilant in early childhood, which can be caused by trauma
If dogs or mice are fear conditioned, the fear sensing part of the brain creates a chemical called anandamide
Anandamide is made by your body when you move or exercise
In animals, anandamide levels permanently drop when they are exposed to very high stress levels
Cannabis helps relax the hyper vigilance and an improved HRV response

20:20 Is There A Way To Improve Vagal Tone Without External Substances

Our society is good at traumatizing humans
People come out changed from trauma
You can do exercise and breathing exercises to calm the system

26:10 What Is The Endocannabinoid System

This system contains receptors, ligands and enzymes
There are two cannabinoid receptors in the human body: CB1 and CB2
CB1 is the receptor that THC bonds to
CB2 receptors live in the peripheral nervous system and the immune response system

29:30 Is CB1 or CB2 Receptor Better?

Both are good for lowering stress
There are additional benefits beyond just CB1 and CB2 including pain receptors and serotonin pathway

31:45 What Is The Connection Between Inflammation And HRV

Inflammation is a driver of HRV
Its best to have lower omega-6 fats and higher omega-3 fats
This provides the anti-inflammatory effects
Specialized pro resolving mediators (SPM) can also help lower inflammation

36:10 Don’s Newest Product To Increase HRV

It contains EPA/DHA to reduce inflammation
Also contains specialized pro-resolving mediators to lower inflammation
In addition, a little bit of magnesium and curcumin is added as well
It contains hemp extract and cannabinoids to active endocannabanoids and lowers pain response
The addition is that it improves sleep
The new supplement is called HRV+