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Heart Rate outliers cleaning


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The measurements of my HR sensor is plagued with outliers. In particular, I get wrong measurements when the contacts of my sensors are not wet enough. This happens at the beginning of my ride or downhill (especially when this is long). Would it possible to develop an algorithm to exclude the outliers based on a simple logic:

a if I am going downhill, it is hard to expect a rate over my max threshold

b if the rate of change of the bpms (first derivative) is quite high, it is hard to believe that the high rate measured could be true.

Alternatively you can use an AI. You can create a command called "Adjust Heart Rates" similar to the one you use for the elevation adjustment.

5 replies

Jan_Mantau
Superuser
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  • Superuser
  • 932 replies
  • March 25, 2025

In my opinion it would be more prudent to buy a better heart rate sensor instead of using some unreliable algorithms. Chest HR bands are cheap and most don’t have this problem. The last time I can remember sensors need wetting and were unprecise anyway were 10 years ago with some Polars.


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  • Author
  • Hub Rookie
  • 3 replies
  • March 25, 2025

Why should I throw away a perfectly working HR monitor? The only problem I have is just a couple of outliers per ride. It could be cheap to replace it, but it is still $100 I can save. The software implementation would be super easy. But if this cannot be achieved why not allowing the user to manually delete the outliers?


Jan_Mantau
Superuser
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  • Superuser
  • 932 replies
  • March 25, 2025

Your last sentence makes sense. Maybe the fit file tools https://www.fitfiletools.com/#/peak#view can be useful for you, these have peak removers for heart rates. 


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  • Author
  • Hub Rookie
  • 3 replies
  • March 25, 2025

It is a cool tool and it does have the peak remover. However, the procedure should be like:

  1. download the fit file with the activity data
  2. remove peaks with the tool you suggested
  3. save the new fit file
  4. remove the activity form strava
  5. upload the new fit file as a new activity

Even though I have this problem not very often, it is still quite annoying to follow all these steps. I will survive with my 227 bpms for some rides :)

I was just suggesting to implement the feature directly on Strava. I heard from other riders having problems with the chest HR, so I thought it could be useful. But if it actually only me, I can survive with that.


Kimberly22
Community Manager
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  • Community Manager
  • 76 replies
  • March 27, 2025

Thank you for sharing your idea!

 

We are converting this idea to a conversation so you can share and discuss with others.

 

Learn more about Heart Rate on Strava here:

Heart Rate on Strava

Pairing Sensors With the Strava App


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