HEART RATE RESPONSE IN SPECTATORS OF THE MONTRÉAL CANADIENS HOCKEY TEAM

Abstract Background To our knowledge, heart rate responses have not previously been assessed in hockey fans. We quantified heart rate increases in spectators of the Montreal Canadiens, compared televised with live games, explored features associated with peak heart rates, and assessed whether increases correlate with a fan passion score. Methods Healthy adults were enrolled, with half attending live games and half viewing televised games. All subjects completed questionnaires and had continuous Holter monitoring. Intensity of the physical stress response was defined according to previously published heart rate index thresholds as mild ( 1.83). Results In 20 participants, 35% women, age 46 ± 10 years, the heart rate increased by a median of 92% during the hockey game, from 60 (interquartile range, 54-65) beats per minute at rest to 114 (interquartile range, 103-129) beats per minute ( P P P P P  = 0.181). The fan passion score was not predictive of the heart rate response ( P  = 0.753). Peak heart rates most commonly occurred during overtime (40%) and scoring opportunities for (25%) and against (15%). Conclusions It is exciting to watch the Montreal Canadiens! Viewing a live hockey game is associated with a heart rate response equivalent to vigorous physical stress and a televised game to moderate physical stress.