Validity Of A Maximal Heart Rate During An Intermittent Cycle Test: A Pilot Study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate a cycle ergometer field test to elicitmaximal heart rate (HRmax) that can be completed independently in a fitness setting. METHODS: Seventeen participants (F=14, M=3), aged 20 to 21 years completed theincremental and intermittent field (experimental) tests in a random order with an average of 6.88± 1.80 days between them. During each test, the subjects pedaled at 60 repetitions per minute(rpm) wearing a heart rate (HR) tracking device. During the gold standard incremental test,subjects started at 50 watts, and every two minutes there was a 25-watt increase; subjectscontinued this for as long as they could while pedaling at 60 rpm. Expired gasses were measuredduring both tests. VO2max criteria were: 90% of predicted HRmax, RER>1.15, and a VO2plateau of 150ml O2 during the last two stages of the test. During the intermittent field test, theRating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) 6-20 scale was used to determine the participant’s effort.The intermittent field test started with a three-minute warm-up (RPE: 8-9), then a three-minuteintense period (RPE: 13-14), then a two-minute easy period (RPE: 8-9). The previous two phaseswere repeated for a three-minute intense period (RPE: 13-14), and then a two-minute easy period(RPE: 8-9). The final phase was two minutes of maximal effort (RPE:>17). The highest HRfrom each test was recorded during each test. Descriptive statistics were assessed for allvariables. Differences between HRmax were compared using paired t-tests. RESULTS: Onaverage, there was a 2.3 bpm (±10.5) higher HR in the incremental test. However, there were nosignificant differences between HRmax values between the tests (p=0.38). VO2max criteria weremet by 76.5% of the participants. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differencesbetween HRmax values between the tests suggesting the intermittent cycle test can be a validmethod to assess HRmax. In fitness classes where target HR zones are used to monitor exerciseintensity, this intermittent cycle test could easily be conducted to ensure that participants have anaccurate maximum HR and goal HR zone.