Estimating maximum heart rate is difficult – attn @OTheoryFitness

Orange Theory Fitness encourages working to achieve zones that your maximum HR defines.  When I started, I knew that the routine formula (220-age) for men did not work for me.  I am 67, which predicts a maximum heart rate of 153, yet multiple times I have proved that my maximum is around 170.  Given this discrepancy, I began wondering about the max HR. Yesterday, on a message board, an Orange Theory regular wrote that he could not get to the orange zone (84%-91%) very often.  Research has shown that the estimation formulas (the one cited above as well as others) both overestimates and underestimates in individuals. Back in 2001, the NY Times had a great article on this topic – ‘Maximum’ Heart Rate Theory Is Challenged A 2014 research article – Measured Maximal Heart Rates Compared to Commonly Used Age-Based Prediction Equations in the Heritage Family Study – contains this paragraph: In exercise programs based on age-predicted HRmax target heart rate prescriptions; this could result in target heart rates above or below the intended intensity, which could affect both the health benefits and safety of the participant. Similarly, these results could lead to either an over- or under-estimation of aerobic fitness levels (i.e., maximal aerobic power), which in turn may also affect exercise prescriptions. Our takeaway – if you spend too much time in the orange zone or higher, then you should see how high your heart rate gets on a long hard run...
Source: DB's Medical Rants - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Medical Rants Source Type: blogs