Heart Rate Calculations

Melissa in Belgium has a question on Maximum Heart Rate (MHR) calculations because her resting pulse is coming down, as it should be with training, but with different calculation methods she can’t work out her pulse Max; we explain

Question:

I have a question about heart rate calculation & training: as my heart gets stronger the resting pulse should lower and I should have to work harder to achieve 90% of MHR, right? Then why is it with the Karvonen formula (using resting pulse + age in calculation) my MHR is lower?

Hi Melissa,

The formulas for calculating your Maximum Heart Rate are only a rough guide, the favourite one which is 220 minus your age is not very accurate for a fit person and is based on the premise that your resting heart rate will not come down and that your Maximum Heart Rate stays the same, which it shouldn’t if you are training.

So, if you want to find your actual MHR you need to either go to a coach or sports doctor so they can run a maximum out-put test to find your 90%. Or you can do it yourself, but you need to be very careful and have some one on hand in case you go too far. You need to find a medium/hard climb and ride up it as hard as you can without getting out of the saddle, when you can ride no-more and are about to pass out then that is you’re MHR. If you do this you need someone to watch you and take care of you if there is a problem, don’t do it alone. Depending on your pulse monitor, it could work all this out for you.

I hope this explains everything you needed to know?