Maximum heart rate

Peddle Up!
Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
edited February 2012 in Training, fitness and health
Browsing through some recent stats, I was comparing how my average heart rate changed depending on ride conditions. Googling around for some comparisons I came across the statement "Do not exercise above 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. This increases both cardiovascular and orthopaedic risk".

My MHR as caculated by the old formula 220-age is 161 giving an 85% MRH of 137. If I'm "going for it" or on a hilly route, or into a punishing headwind I can be running at, or exceeding that figure for a lot of the time! Am I inviting a premature appointment with the reaper, or is the advice b*ll*cks? :shock:
Purveyor of "up" :)

Comments

  • The Swedish Chef
    The Swedish Chef Posts: 16
    220-age is utter rubbish, it can deviate by 20 up or down depending on the individual.

    Find a hilly route, warm up well for 20 minutes or so, hit the hill as hard as you can, given the pulse rates take time to react you might not peak until you've actually reached the summit. This will give you an idea of your MHR.

    Also bear in mind MHR is sport dependant, so cycling and running will be different.
  • t.m.h.n.e.t
    t.m.h.n.e.t Posts: 2,265
    Or go and get properly tested?

    220-age isn't even a rough guide tbh
  • Zingzang
    Zingzang Posts: 196
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    Do not exercise above 85 percent of your maximum heart rate

    A statement that is no doubt valid on its own terms; just remember that exercise and sport are two different things.
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    "Do not exercise above 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. This increases both cardiovascular and orthopaedic risk".

    that statement does not appear to have any basis in fact whatsoever - where did you find it..?
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    Pseudonym wrote:
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    "Do not exercise above 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. This increases both cardiovascular and orthopaedic risk".

    that statement does not appear to have any basis in fact whatsoever - where did you find it..?


    Several sources (e.g. here), based, it appears, on a study published in the "Canadian Medical Association Journal".

    I mean - it's on the Internet so it MUST be true. :D
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    Checking the above link, I can't even get past the title without wondering how you could possibly excercise beyond your MaxHR. I know this topic has appeared before, but this apparently "science" based article seems like rubbish to me.
  • Mike67
    Mike67 Posts: 585
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    "Do not exercise above 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. This increases both cardiovascular and orthopaedic risk".


    Erk....
    My average for a 20mile TT yesterday was 88% of max and I still did rubbish!

    Admittedly there was a strong, and cold, headwind for about 5miles and I stupidly wore shorts so got cold legs (went a bit mad when I saw the sunshine)...can't think of any more excuses for now :lol:

    BTW 220-age gives me a max. HR that is about 10 BPM too low. Got my max figure from the second lap of a cross race after running up about 30 steps carrying the bike...felt pretty ill at that point :(
    Mike B

    Cannondale CAAD9
    Kinesis Pro 5 cross bike
    Lots of bits
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    I guess I shall have to fall back on determining my maximum heart rate along the lines suggested by the old engineer for tightening bolts, "do it up until it shears off, then back off half a turn". :D
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    RonB wrote:
    Checking the above link, I can't even get past the title without wondering how you could possibly excercise beyond your MaxHR. I know this topic has appeared before, but this apparently "science" based article seems like rubbish to me.

    Of coures its not crap. If you took the trouble to read properly you would notice that the article says it is not recommended that you exceed the recommended maximum heart rate. Obvious really.

    Also, its a known fact that exercise at close to maximum heart rates can be dangerous for those who have a predisposition to have heart problems when exercising at close to maximum heart rate.
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    If you manage to exceed your maximum then you surely have a new max. I have no problem with this advice for folks with health problems, but the article does not recommend that anyone should exercise above 85%. Where do PI sessions fit into that sweeping statement then?
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I've never heard of that statement and it sounds bollox to me.

    There won't be an amateur cyclist ( or any sportsman) alive who hasn't gone over 85% of max heart rate.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I love the fact that one of the references in that Livestrong link is a Dr Mirkin :D


    •Dr.Mirkin.com; Maximum Heart Rate Formula; Gabe Mirkin

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