title: Validation of Maximal Heart Rate Prediction Equations Based on Sex and Physical Activity Status.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine if measured maximal heart rate (HRmax) was affected by sex or aerobic training status, and to determine the accuracy of three common clinical age-prediction maximal heart rate regression equations used to predict HRmax:HRmax= 220 - age, HRmax= 226 - age, and HRmax= 208 - (0.7·age). Fifty-two participants in total, 30 of which were in the active group (15 M, 15 F) and 22 subjects in the sedentary group (9 M, 13 F), within the age range of 18-25 years and with a normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg·m-2) underwent a Bruce maximal treadmill exercise protocol. The effect of sex and training status on HRmaxwas analyzed through a two-way ANOVA, and the effect of sex, aerobic training status, and regression equation on accuracy of the HRmaxprediction was assessed with a three-way ANOVA (α=0.05). Overall, males had a higher HRmaxthan females (198.3 v. 190.4 beats • min-1, p<.001) and sedentary individuals had higher measured HRmaxthan active individuals (197.3 v. 191.4 beats • min-1, p=.002). Furthermore,HRmax= 208 - (0.7·age)(equation 3)calculated the smallest signed and unsigned residuals from the difference between observed HRmaxand predicted HRmaxvalues for the significant main effects of equation (3), equation × sex (females × 3), and equation × activity level (active × 3). Therefore, based on our results, we conclude thatHRmax= 208 - (0.7·age)has greater accuracy than the other two equations studied for predicting observed values of HRmaxin 18-25 year olds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Human Performance and Applied Exercise Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCrory
keywords: Maximal heart rate; active; age; female; inactive; male; maximal heart rate prediction equations