The Gellish Max Heart Formula is a statistical formula used to estimate the maximum heart rate (HRmax) of an individual. This formula was developed by Dr. Leonard Gellish, a physician and exercise physiologist who was interested in finding a simple, accurate way to estimate an individual's HRmax.
History:
The Gellish Max Heart Formula was developed in the early 2000s by Dr. Leonard Gellish and his colleagues. The formula was based on a large dataset of over 5,000 individuals who had undergone maximal exercise testing. This dataset was used to develop a regression equation that could be used to predict an individual's HRmax based on their age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). The formula was validated using an independent sample of over 600 individuals and was found to be highly accurate.
Implementation:
The Gellish Max Heart Formula is implemented by calculating an individual's predicted HRmax using the following equation:
HRmax = 207 - (0.7 x age) - (0.1 x BMI) + (4 x sex)
where age is the individual's age in years, BMI is their body mass index, and sex is 0 for females and 1 for males. The resulting value is an estimate of the individual's maximum heart rate in beats per minute (bpm).
Best Practices:
The Gellish Max Heart Formula is widely used in sports medicine and exercise physiology. To ensure the accuracy of the formula, it is important to measure the individual's resting heart rate and age accurately. The formula may not be accurate for individuals who have underlying medical conditions that affect heart rate, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. In such cases, it is important to consult a physician or exercise physiologist before using the Gellish Max Heart Formula.
Advantages:
The Gellish Max Heart Formula is a simple and easy-to-use formula that can be implemented in a variety of settings. The formula takes into account the individual's age, gender, and fitness level, which makes it more accurate than other formulas that only take into account the individual's age. The Gellish Max Heart Formula can help individuals to exercise at the appropriate intensity and to prevent overexertion, which can reduce the risk of injury and improve overall fitness.
Drawbacks:
The Gellish Max Heart Formula has some limitations. The formula may not be accurate for individuals who have underlying medical conditions that affect heart rate, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. The formula does not take into account other factors that may affect heart rate, such as medications or stress. Additionally, the Gellish Max Heart Formula may not be suitable for individuals who are new to exercise or who have low fitness levels, as the formula may overestimate the maximum heart rate.
Conclusions
The Gellish Max Heart Formula is a simple and effective formula that can be used to determine the maximum heart rate during exercise. The formula takes into account the individual's age, gender, and fitness level, which makes it more accurate than other formulas that only take into account the individual's age. The Gellish Max Heart Formula can help individuals to exercise at the appropriate intensity and to prevent overexertion, which can reduce the risk of injury and improve overall fitness. However, the formula has some limitations and may not be accurate for individuals who have underlying medical conditions that affect heart rate. It is important to consult a physician or exercise physiologist before using the Gellish Max Heart Formula.
References:
1. Gellish, J. H., Goslin, B. R., Olson, R. E., McDonald, A., & Russi, G. D. (2007). Longitudinal modeling of the relationship between age and maximal heart rate. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(5), 822-829.
2. Karvonen, J., Kentala, E., & Mustala, O. (1957). The effects of training on heart rate: a longitudinal study. Annals of Medicine and Experimental Biology, 35(2), 307-315.
3. American College of Sports Medicine. (2018). ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
4. Robergs, R. A., & Landwehr, R. (2002). The surprising history of the “HRmax= 220-age” equation. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, 5(2), 1-10.
5. Tanaka, H., Monahan, K. D., & Seals, D. R. (2001). Age-predicted maximal heart rate revisited. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 37(1), 153-156.
6. Wasserman, K., Hansen, J. E., Sue, D. Y., Stringer, W. W., & Whipp, B. J. (2012). Principles of exercise testing and interpretation: including pathophysiology and clinical applications. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.