How reliable are the equations for predicting maximal heart rate values in military personnel?

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of equations for predicting maximal values of heart rate (HR) in military personnel.

Methods: Five hundred and nine members of the Croatian Armed Forces (age 29.1 +/- 5.5 years; height 180.1 +/- 6.6 cm; body mass 83.4 +/- 11.3 kg; maximal oxygen uptake [VO2(max)] 49.7 +/- 6.9 mL O2/kg/min) were tested. The graded exercise test with gas exchange measurements was used to determine VO2(max) and maximum HR (HR(max)). The analysis of variance was used to determine the differences between the equations to calculate HR(max).

Results: The analysis of variance yielded statistically significant differences between seven HR equations (p < 0.05). The values from Stevens Creek's (HR(max) = 205 - [age/2]) and Fox and Haskell's (HR(max) = 220 - age) equations had the highest correlation with the HRmax obtained by the graded exercise test.

Conclusion: The authors recommend using the HR(max) values from the Stevens Creek and the Fox and Haskell equations for the purpose of training, testing, and daily exercise routine in military personnel.