Percentages of Maximal Heart Rate, Heart Rate Reserve and V̇O₂max for Determining Endurance Training Intensity in Male Runners

 

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Abstract

The use of 60%-95% of maximal heart rate (HR), heart rate reserve (HRR) and V̇₂max as exercise training intensities was examined in male runners, and these intensities were related to V̇O₂ observed at the lactate threshold (LT) and fixed blood lactate concentrations (FBLC) of 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mM. Thirty-one subjects (x̄ age = 29.9 ±9.1 yrs; x̄ ht = 177.3±8.2 cm; x̄ wt = 69.2±9.9 kg) completed a level running treadmill protocol. The mean values at LT, FBLC of 2.0, 2.5, 4.0 mM and max for V̇O₂ were 52.7, 56.4, 58.0, 61.2 and 63.5 ml/kg·min^-1, respectively: for velocity they were 237.4, 252.2, 260.6. 274.4 and 286.5 m/min, respectively; and for HR were 165.7, 172.7, 176.5, 182.3 and 187.4 bts/min, respectively. The majority of subjects were not above LT (N = 20), until an intensity of 90% HR max was attained. At 95% HR max the majority of subjects were above 2.0 mM (N = 23) and 2.5 mM (N = 17) but below 4.0 mM (N = 26). For HRR, 85% HRR was necessary for the majority of subjects to be above LT (N = 20), 90% HRR resulted in the majority of subjects being above 2.0 mM (N= 19), while 95% HRR was required for the majority of subjects to be above 2.5 mM (N = 23). At 95% HRR 14 subjects were above 4.0 mM. For% V̇O₂max, the intensities required for the majority of subjects to be above LT, FBLC of 2.0, and 2.5 mM were 90%, 95% and 95% V̇O₂max, respectively. At 95% V̇O₂max 7 subjects were above 4.0 mM. We conclude that if LT, 2.0, 2.5 and 4.0 mM are desired training intensities in male runners, exercise prescription based on a percentage of max HR, HRR or V̇O₂max needs to be adjusted to reflect the higher training intensities required.