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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Firstbeat's Training Effect, EPOC, & Recovery Time (For Garmin and Suunto)}}
Firstbeat is a company that produces software that (used by Garmin/Suunto watches) uses [[Heart Rate Variability]] to estimate exercise stress and recovery. This software is included in a number of products such as the {{Garmin 620}}. The Firstbeat software is used to estimateestimates:
* '''Aerobic Capacity'''. The core of the Firstbeat approach is to estimate [[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]], both as a percentage and an absolute. Like other approaches, the Firstbeat estimation uses heart rate, but Firstbeat adds in [[Heart Rate Variability]] to detect breathing patterns that provide a better estimation.
* '''Energy (Calorie) expenditure'''. Given an estimation of VO<sub>2</sub>, it's relatively straightforward to estimate calorie burn.
* '''Training Effect'''. The Firstbeat Training Effect (TE) is intended to measure the effectiveness of training stress. The TE is biased towards continuous high intensity training (AKA Tempo runs), with lower TE scores given for interval training. Even lower scores are given for longer runs that are at a lower intensity, so TE does not reflect overall training stress. I have had a higher Training Effect values from a 3 mile easy run than a 100 mile race! Training Effect is based Activity Class, which is a representation of how much exercise is routinely performed. (Suunto call this "Peak Training Effect" or PTE.)
** '''EPOC'''. The Training Effect is based on estimation of EPOC (Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption). This EPOC is how much extra oxygen the body requires while recovering from strenuous exercise. Originally it was thought that EPOC was the repaying the so-called "oxygen debt" of high intensity exercise due to the buildup of lactate. However, it seems that the actual mechanism is unlikely likely to be rather more complex. The use of Training Effect does not require an understanding of EPOC, but the Suunto website does expose the EPOC estimate for those that are interested.** '''Activity Class'''. The impact of any given belt of exercise will depend on your fitness level. It's reasonably obvious that a 5 mile run may be overwhelming for some people, but only an easy run for others. The Training Effect model takes this into account by classifying athletes by their Activity Class. Athletes are mostly classified by the number of hours of training they do each week. Generally, the Garmin watches automatically estimate Activity Class where the Suunto watches have it set manually. Obviously the automatic setting is much easier, but you have to wear the watch with a heart rate monitor for all workouts, all or of the estimates will be invalid. It's also not possible to tweak the Activity Class when it said set automatically.* '''Recovery Time'''. At the end of each run the Recovery Time suggests how long before the '''next hard training''' session. The Recovery Time takes into account multiple training sessions, reflecting cumulative fatigue. Unlike Training Effect, Recovery Time seems to reflect overall training stress. However, I've found no details of the underlying model used to estimate Recovery Time, nor have I found any validation.* '''Recovery State'''. The Recovery State is displayed a few minutes into a run and indicates how well recovered you are. Like Recovery Time, there is no indication of the underlying model or science behind this. I've never had any other message than "good recovery state", even the day after an ultra.
The table below shows which devices support the particular Firstbeat functionality.
{| class="wikitable"
! Watch
! Calorie Burn
