Manifiesto De La Educación Fisica

Prediction of Maximal Heart Rate

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JEPonline Journal of Exercise Physiologyonline
Official Journal of The American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) ISSN 1097-9751 An International Electronic Journal Volume 5 Number 2 May 2002

Commentary THE SURPRISING HISTORY OF THE “HRmax=220-age” EQUATION
ROBERT A. ROBERGS AND ROBERTO LANDWEHR Exercise Physiology Laboratories, The Universityof New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM ABSTRACT THE SURPRISING HISTORY OF THE “HRmax=220-age” EQUATION. Robert A. Robergs, Roberto Landwehr. JEPonline. 2002;5(2):1-10. The estimation of maximal heart rate (HRmax) has been a feature of exercise physiology and related applied sciences since the late 1930’s. The estimation of HRmax has been largely based on the formula; HRmax=220-age. This equation is oftenpresented in textbooks without explanation or citation to original research. In addition, the formula and related concepts are included in most certification exams within sports medicine, exercise physiology, and fitness. Despite the acceptance of this formula, research spanning more than two decades reveals the large error inherent in the estimation of HRmax (Sxy=7-11 b/min). Ironically, inquiryinto the history of this formula reveals that it was not developed from original research, but resulted from observation based on data from approximately 11 references consisting of published research or unpublished scientific compilations. Consequently, the formula HRmax=220-age has no scientific merit for use in exercise physiology and related fields. A brief review of alternate HRmax predictionformula reveals that the majority of age-based univariate prediction equations also have large prediction errors (>10 b/min). Clearly, more research of HRmax needs to be done using a multivariate model, and equations may need to be developed that are population (fitness, health status, age, exercise mode) specific. Key Words: Cardiovascular function, Estimation, Error, Exercise prescription,Fitness. INTRODUCTION This short manuscript has been written to provide insight into the history of the maximal heart rate (HRmax) prediction equation; HRmax=220–age. Surprisingly, there is no published record of research for this equation. As will be explained, the origin of the formula is a superficial estimate, based on observation, of a linear best fit to a series of raw and mean data compiled in1971 (1). However, evidence of the physiological study of maximal heart rate prediction dates back to at least 1938 from the research of Sid Robinson (2). Research since 1971 has revealed the error in HRmax estimation, and there remains no formula that provides acceptable accuracy of HRmax prediction. We present the majority of the formulae that currently exist to

Prediction of Maximal HeartRate

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estimate HRmax, and provide recommendations on which formula to use, and when. We also provide recommendations for research to improve our knowledge of the between subjects variability in HRmax. THE IMPORTANCE OF MAXIMAL HEART RATE Heart rate is arguably a very easy cardiovascular measurement, especially in comparison to the invasive or noninvasive procedures used to estimate strokevolume and cardiac output. Consequently, measurement of heart rate is routinely used to assess the response of the heart to exercise, or the recovery from exercise, as well as to prescribe exercise intensities (3). Given that the increase in heart rate during incremental exercise mirrors the increase in cardiac output, maximal heart rate is often interpreted as the upper ceiling for an increase incentral cardiovascular function. Indeed, research for the last 100 years has demonstrated that heart rate does in fact have a maximal value (4); one that cannot be surpassed despite continued increases in exercise intensity or training adaptations. Perhaps the most important application of the heart rate response to exercise has been the use of submaximal heart rate, in combination with resting...