Estimation of maximal heart rate in recreational football: a field study

To examine the accuracy of practical indirect methods (i.e., recreational football match and estimation equations) in assessing individual maximal heart rate (HR_max) in recreational football players. Sixty-two untrained male participants engaged in a recreational football intervention (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 tested for HR_max using a multiple approach, at baseline and post-intervention (i.e., in the untrained and trained status, respectively). Observed HR_max was plotted against peak match HR (Match-HR_peak) and HR_max estimated from prediction equations (EstHR_max) at both time-points.

In the untrained status, only the 211 - 0.64 × Age and 226 - Age equations showed non-significant (medium-to-small) differences with observed HR_max. The differences between observed HR_max and Match-HR_peak were large (P < 0.0001). At post-intervention, the observed HR_max (Post-HR_max) was significantly and largely lower than at baseline. The prediction equations under consideration provided EstHR_max values that were lower than Post-HR_max, with small-to-large differences (P > 0.05). The exception was for the 226 - Age and 211 - 0.64 × Age equations, with values largely higher than Post-HR_max.

This study suggests caution when considering EstHR_max and Match-HR_peak in recreational football interventions to track HR_max. The accuracy of EstHR_max may vary according to training status, suggesting the need for different approaches and equations across training interventions.