Maximal heart rate assessment in recreational football players: A study involving a multiple testing approach

This study aimed at examining the suitability of a standard treadmill test (TT), popular intermittent field tests, and small-sided football matches to induce maximal heart rate (HR_max ) in recreational football players. Sixty-six inactive untrained male subjects (age: 39.3 ± 5.8 years, VO_2max : 41.2 ± 6.2 mL kg^-1  min^-1 , body mass: 81.9 ± 10.8 kg, height: 173.2 ± 6.4 cm) were evaluated. On separate occasions, the players were randomly submitted to a progressive VO_2max TT, to the Yo-Yo intermittent endurance level 1 (YYIE1) and level 2 (YYIE2) tests, to the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (YYIR1) test, and to 7v7 (43 × 27 m pitch, 83 m² /player) football matches (45 minutes; 2-4 matches/player). To ensure data consistency, exercise HR was recorded using the same HR monitors in all the experimental conditions. A total of 73%, 24%, 18%, 17%, and 30% of the players achieved their HR_max during the YYIE1, YYIE2, YYIR1, TT, and the small-sided football matches, respectively. The probability of achieving HR_max increased proportionally to test duration, with 7.8 minutes as the cutoff time. Variations in HR_peak of ±2 b min^-1 should be regarded as of practical relevance. YYIE1 HR_peak provided the most accurate estimation of a subject's individual HR_max and much higher probability of reaching HR_max . Nevertheless, the results of this study suggest caution in considering a reference test for HR_max assessment in this population. The use of confirmation tests is still highly advisable when the test duration is shorter than 7.8 minutes. In this regard, field tests seem to be suitable and accurate for individual HR_max assessment in recreational football players.