Maximum Heart Rate



Definition:

        Maximum heart rate is the highest number of times your heart can contract in one minute.  Once you know how fast you heart can beat when you are exercising full out, you can determine your target training zones.

 

Determining your MHR:

·        Less intense - best guess

Mathematical formula

1.       220 - your age (Women use 226)

2.       Karvonen method

 

·        Sub Max Tests

A Sub Max test is an estimated assessment below your maximum heart rate, which is used to predict your maximum heart rate. (Maximum heart rate is sport specific)

1.       The chair sub max test.

2.       The step sub max test.

3.       One mile walk test.

 

·        Max Test

Upon completion of a sub max test, you should add to the highest number you see displayed one of the following points:

 

     Chair Sub Max:                Step Sub Max:

                       

                        Poor Fitness                   40                                       55

            Average Fitness             50                                       65

            Fit Level                          60                                       65

            Race Level Fitness        70                                       75

 

Maximum Heart Rate:

·        Is genetically determined you are born with it.

·        Is a fixed number unless you become unfit

·        Can not be increased by training

·        Is higher in women than in men

·        Is affected by drugs

·        That are high do not predict better athletic performance

·        That are low do not predict worse athletic performance

·        Has great variability among people the same age

·        For children have been measured over 200 b.p.m.

·        May vary from day to day because it is test day sensitive

·        Testing requires the person to be fully rested

·        Testing needs to be done multiple times to insure an exact number