What Is the Respiration Rate Feature on My Garmin Device?

Respiration rate describes how often you inhale and exhale in a minute. It is also a primary vital sign along with heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Resting respiration rates are typically between 12-20 times per minute during rest and can be around 40-50 times per minute during intense physical activity. This increase in respiration rate reflects the increased oxygen demand for producing aerobic energy.

How Does My Garmin Device Measure Respiration Rate?

From Firstbeat Analytics: "Each breath you take is coded into your heart rate variability (HRV). The length of time between consecutive heartbeats shortens slightly as you inhale and lengthens as you exhale. The term for this biological phenomenon is respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA).

The ability to analytically extract respiration rate from HRV data depends on accurate heartbeat data. The degree to which one's heart rate changes from one beat to the next can be a matter of milliseconds. Challenging monitoring conditions related to the performance of physical activity mean that the pinpoint accuracy needed for this analysis is only achievable using a chest strap type heart rate monitor."

How Is This Information Displayed on My Device?

Many newer Garmin devices can display this information in two different ways:

• Respiration Widget 

• Activity Data field

What Devices Have This Feature?

The following devices can display this information as a data field only and require the use of a Garmin HRM-Tri, HRM-Run, HRM-Pro, or HRM-Dual strap:  

• Edge 530

• Edge 830

• Edge 1030 Plus

The following watches can display this information through the Respiration Widget or when recording an activity (except swim):

NOTE: An HRM-Tri, HRM-Run, HRM-Pro, or HRM-Dual strap is required for all activity types with the exception of Breathwork or Yoga activity types. Activity movement impacts the ability to read heart rate variability using the optical heart rate sensor resulting in inaccurate respiration rate readings. Additionally, respiration is not available for swim activity profiles.

• Enduro series

• epix (Gen 2) series

• fenix 6 series

• fenix 7 series

• Forerunner 945/945 LTE

• MARQ Collection

• quatix 6 series

• tactix Delta series

The following watches can display this information through the Respiration Widget and as a data field for either the Breathwork or Yoga activity profiles:

• D2 Air

• Forerunner 55

• Forerunner 245/245 Music

• Forerunner 745

• Venu series

• Venu Sq series

• vivoactive 4/4S (including Hero and Legacy series watches)