Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Estimation of maximal heart rate in recreational football: a field study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the accuracy of practical indirect methods (i.e., recreational football match and estimation equations) in assessing individual maximal heart rate (HRmax) in recreational football players. Sixty-two untrained male participants engaged in a recreational football intervention (age 39.3 ± 5.8 years, VO2max 41.2 ± 6.2 ml·kg−1·min−1, body mass 81.9 ± 10.8 kg, height 173.2 ± 6.4 cm) were tested for HRmax using a multiple approach, at baseline and post-intervention (i.e., in the untrained and trained status, respectively). Observed HRmax was plotted against peak match HR (Match-HRpeak) and HRmax estimated from prediction equations (EstHRmax) at both time-points.

Results

In the untrained status, only the 211 − 0.64 × Age and 226 − Age equations showed non-significant (medium-to-small) differences with observed HRmax. The differences between observed HRmax and Match-HRpeak were large (P < 0.0001). At post-intervention, the observed HRmax (Post-HRmax) was significantly and largely lower than at baseline. The prediction equations under consideration provided EstHRmax values that were lower than Post-HRmax, with small-to-large differences (P > 0.05). The exception was for the 226 − Age and 211 − 0.64 × Age equations, with values largely higher than Post-HRmax.

Conclusions

This study suggests caution when considering EstHRmax and Match-HRpeak in recreational football interventions to track HRmax. The accuracy of EstHRmax may vary according to training status, suggesting the need for different approaches and equations across training interventions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bakeman R (2005) Recommended effect size statistics for repeated measures designs. Behav Res Methods 37(3):379–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bangsbo J, Iaia FM, Krustrup P (2008) The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test: a useful tool for evaluation of physical performance in intermittent sports. Sports Med 38(1):37–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berglund IJ, Soras SE, Relling BE, Lundgren KM, Kiel IA, Moholdt T (2019) The relationship between maximum heart rate in a cardiorespiratory fitness test and in a maximum heart rate test. J Sci Med Sport 22(5):607–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2018.11.018

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bland JM, Altman DG (1986) Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement. Lancet 1(8476):307–310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Booth FW, Thomason DB (1991) Molecular and cellular adaptation of muscle in response to exercise: perspectives of various models. Physiol Rev 71(2):541–585. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.1991.71.2.541

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borg G, Hassmen P, Lagerstrom M (1987) Perceived exertion related to heart rate and blood lactate during arm and leg exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 56(6):679–685

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Butler J, O'Brien M, O'Malley K, Kelly JG (1982) Relationship of beta-adrenoreceptor density to fitness in athletes. Nature 298(5869):60–62. https://doi.org/10.1038/298060a0

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Castagna C, Impellizzeri FM, Chaouachi A, Bordon C, Manzi V (2011) Effect of training intensity distribution on aerobic fitness variables in elite soccer players: a case study. J Strength Cond Res 25(1):66–71. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181fef3d3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Castagna C, Impellizzeri FM, Chaouachi A, Manzi V (2013) Preseason variations in aerobic fitness and performance in elite-standard soccer players: a team study. J Strength Cond Res 27(11):2959–2965. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31828d61a8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen J (1988) Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences, 2nd edn. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox SM 3rd, Naughton JP, Haskell WL (1971) Physical activity and the prevention of coronary heart disease. Ann Clin Res 3(6):404–432

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garber CE, Blissmer B, Deschenes MR, Franklin BA, Lamonte MJ, Lee IM, Nieman DC, Swain DP (2011) American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 43(7):1334–1359. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e318213fefb

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gellish RL, Goslin BR, Olson RE, McDonald A, Russi GD, Moudgil VK (2007) Longitudinal modeling of the relationship between age and maximal heart rate. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39(5):822–829. https://doi.org/10.1097/mss.0b013e31803349c6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins WG, Marshall SW, Batterham AM, Hanin J (2009) Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41(1):3–13. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31818cb278

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Inbar O, Oren A, Scheinowitz M, Rotstein A, Dlin R, Casaburi R (1994) Normal cardiopulmonary responses during incremental exercise in 20- to 70-yr-old men. Med Sci Sports Exerc 26(5):538–546

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krustrup P, Krustrup BR (2018) Football is medicine: it is time for patients to play! Br J Sports Med 52(22):1412–1414. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-099377

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Krustrup P, Mohr M, Amstrup T, Rysgaard T, Johansen J, Steensberg A, Pedersen PK, Bangsbo J (2003) The Yo–Yo intermittent recovery test: physiological response, reliability, and validity. Med Sci Sports Exer 35(4):697–705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krustrup P, Mohr M, Nybo L, Jensen JM, Nielsen JJ, Bangsbo J (2006) The Yo–Yo IR2 test: physiological response, reliability, and application to elite soccer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 38(9):1666–1673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krustrup P, Nielsen JJ, Krustrup BR, Christensen JF, Pedersen H, Randers MB, Aagaard P, Petersen AM, Nybo L, Bangsbo J (2009) Recreational soccer is an effective health-promoting activity for untrained men. Br J Sports Med 43(11):825–831. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.053124

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krustrup P, Bradley PS, Christensen JF, Castagna C, Jackman S, Connolly L, Randers MB, Mohr M, Bangsbo J (2015) The Yo–Yo IE2 test: physiological response for untrained men versus trained soccer players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 47(1):100–108. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000377

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krustrup P, Williams CA, Mohr M, Hansen PR, Helge EW, Elbe AM, de Sousa M, Dvorak J, Junge A, Hammami A, Holtermann A, Larsen MN, Kirkendall D, Schmidt JF, Andersen TR, Buono P, Rorth M, Parnell D, Ottesen L, Bennike S, Nielsen JJ, Mendham AE, Zar A, Uth J, Hornstrup T, Brasso K, Nybo L, Krustrup BR, Meyer T, Aagaard P, Andersen JL, Hubball H, Reddy PA, Ryom K, Lobelo F, Barene S, Helge JW, Fatouros IG, Nassis GP, Xu JC, Pettersen SA, Calbet JA, Seabra A, Rebelo AN, Figueiredo P, Povoas S, Castagna C, Milanovic Z, Bangsbo J, Randers MB, Brito J (2018) The "football is medicine" platform-scientific evidence, large-scale implementation of evidence-based concepts and future perspectives. Scand J Med Sci Sports 28(Suppl 1):3–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13220

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Londeree BR, Moeschberger ML (1984) Influence of age and other factors on maximal heart rate. J Cardiac Rehabil 4:44–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Midgley AW, Mc Naughton LR, Wilkinson M (2006) Criteria and other methodological considerations in the evaluation of time at VO2max. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 46(2):183–188

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Midgley AW, McNaughton LR, Polman R, Marchant D (2007) Criteria for determination of maximal oxygen uptake: a brief critique and recommendations for future research. Sports Med 37(12):1019–1028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milanovic Z, Pantelic S, Covic N, Sporis G, Krustrup P (2015) Is Recreational soccer effective for improving VO2max: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med 45(9):1339–1353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0361-4

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Milanovic Z, Pantelic S, Covic N, Sporis G, Mohr M, Krustrup P (2019) Broad-spectrum physical fitness benefits of recreational football: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med 53(15):926–93. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097885

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nes BM, Janszky I, Wisloff U, Stoylen A, Karlsen T (2013) Age-predicted maximal heart rate in healthy subjects: the HUNT fitness study. Scand J Med Sci Sports 23(6):697–704. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2012.01445.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nes BM, Vatten LJ, Nauman J, Janszky I, Wisloff U (2014) A simple nonexercise model of cardiorespiratory fitness predicts long-term mortality. Med Sci Sports Exerc 46(6):1159–1165. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000219

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Póvoas SCA, Castagna C, Resende C, Coelho EF, Silva P, Santos R, Pereira R, Krustrup P (2018) Effects of a short-term recreational team handball-based programme on physical fitness and cardiovascular and metabolic health of 33–55-year-old men: a pilot study. Biomed Res Int 2018:4109796. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4109796

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Póvoas SCA, Krustrup P, Pereira R, Vieira S, Carneiro I, Magalhaes J, Castagna C (2019) Maximal heart rate assessment in recreational football players: a study involving a multiple testing approach. Scand J Med Sci Sports 29(10):1537–1545. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13472

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Randers MB, Nybo L, Petersen J, Nielsen JJ, Christiansen L, Bendiksen M, Brito J, Bangsbo J, Krustrup P (2010) Activity profile and physiological response to football training for untrained males and females, elderly and youngsters: influence of the number of players. Scand J Med Sci Sports 20(Suppl 1):14–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01069.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Randers MB, Nielsen JJ, Bangsbo J, Krustrup P (2014) Physiological response and activity profile in recreational small-sided football: no effect of the number of players. Scand J Med Sci Sports 24(Suppl 1):130–137. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12232

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robergs RA, Landwehr R (2002) The surprising history of the "HRmax=220 − age" equation. JEPonline 5(2):1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka H, Monahan KD, Seals DR (2001) Age-predicted maximal heart rate revisited. J Am Coll Cardiol 37(1):153–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warburton D, Nicol C, Bredin SSD (2006) Prescribing exercise as preventative therapy. CMAJ 174(7):961–974

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zavorsky GS (2000) Evidence and possible mechanisms of altered maximum heart rate with endurance training and tapering. Sports Med 29(1):13–26

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, University Institute of Maia, ISMAI, Maia, Portugal

    Susana Póvoas

  2. Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

    Susana Póvoas & Peter Krustrup

  3. Fitness Training and Biomechanics Laboratory, Technical Department, Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Coverciano (Florence), Italy

    Carlo Castagna

  4. University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    Carlo Castagna

Authors
  1. Susana Póvoas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Peter Krustrup
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Carlo Castagna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

SP and CC conceived and designed the research. Testing and data collection were performed by SP. CC and SP analysed the data and wrote the manuscript. PK contributed for the study design, interpreted the results, and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susana Póvoas.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Communicated by Keith Phillip George.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Póvoas, S., Krustrup, P. & Castagna, C. Estimation of maximal heart rate in recreational football: a field study. Eur J Appl Physiol 120, 925–933 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04334-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04334-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation