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Estimation of maximal heart rate using the relationship between heart rate variability and exercise intensity in 40–67 years old men

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Abstract

Large interindividual variation in maximal heart rate (HRmax) may not be accounted for by age alone. In order to evaluate a novel method in the prediction of HRmax, this study examined the profile of HR variability (HRV) during exercise in 40–67 years old men (n = 74). R–R intervals were recorded during supine rest and during a graded exercise test by cycle ergometry until exhaustion. A third-degree polynomial function was fitted to the HRV data recorded during exercise to represent the HRV profile of each subject. The instantaneous beat-to-beat R–R interval variability (SD1), high (HF) and low frequency power decreased between all consecutive exercise intensities (P < 0.033). The relationship between HRmax and a variable illustrating the declining rate of HF (HRHF50%) was stronger (r = 0.50, P < 0.001) than between HRmax and age (r = −0.36, P < 0.01). The regression analysis showed that a more accurate estimation of HRmax was attained when HRV was used in the equation in addition to age: HRmax = 160.633–0.603(age) + 0.441(HRHF50%) (SEE = 9.8 bpm vs. 11.6 bpm in the equation based on age alone). The decline of HRV during incremental exercise seems to be useful for accurate estimation of maximal heart rate.

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Acknowledgements

This study was partly supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, Finland and the Central Finland Health Care District, Jyväskylä, Finland, and by Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Laura Karavirta, Teemu Pullinen & Keijo Häkkinen

  2. Department of Exercise and Medical Physiology, Verve Research, Oulu, Finland

    Mikko P. Tulppo

  3. Central Finland Central Hospital, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Kai Nyman & Arja Häkkinen

  4. Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

    David E. Laaksonen

  5. Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland

    David E. Laaksonen

  6. Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland

    Raija T. Laukkanen & Hannu Kinnunen

  7. Department of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Raija T. Laukkanen

  8. Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Arja Häkkinen

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  1. Laura Karavirta
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  2. Mikko P. Tulppo
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  3. Kai Nyman
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  4. David E. Laaksonen
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  5. Teemu Pullinen
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  6. Raija T. Laukkanen
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  7. Hannu Kinnunen
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  8. Arja Häkkinen
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  9. Keijo Häkkinen
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Correspondence to Laura Karavirta.

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Karavirta, L., Tulppo, M.P., Nyman, K. et al. Estimation of maximal heart rate using the relationship between heart rate variability and exercise intensity in 40–67 years old men. Eur J Appl Physiol 103, 25–32 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0667-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0667-5

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