What type of heart rate measurement is less effective during intense physical activity?

During intense physical activity, the effectiveness of heart rate measurement can greatly depend on the method used. Manual heart rate measurement, which involves physically checking the pulse either at the wrist or neck and counting beats for a specific duration, can become less reliable during high-intensity exercise. This is mainly because the rapid changes in heart rate and blood flow make it difficult to accurately count the pulse, especially if the person is moving or exerting themselves vigorously. Additionally, factors such as increased muscle movement can further complicate this method, leading to inaccurate readings or challenges in maintaining consistent contact with the pulse point.

In contrast, automatic heart rate monitoring, telemetric heart rate measurement, and wrist-based systems are designed to continuously collect data while accommodating the body's movement, making them generally more reliable during exercise. These systems typically use sensors that can track heart rate without manual intervention, thus providing a more stable and accurate measurement even under intense conditions.