4 ms·

I am really interested in how this is measured. I have found this info on free sources so far "The FIT Treadmill Score, calculated as [percentage of maximum p

I am really interested in how this is measured. I have found this info on free sources so far "The FIT Treadmill Score, calculated as [percentage of maximum predicted heart rate + 12(metabolic equivalents of task) – 4(age) + 43 if female]" And this from another interview. "In addition to age and gender, the formula factors in peak heart rate reached during intense exercise and the ability to tolerate physical exertion as measured by so-called metabolic equivalents, or METs, a gauge of how much energy the body expends during exercise. More vigorous activities require higher energy output (higher METs), better exercise tolerance and higher fitness level. An activity such as slow walking equals two METs, compared with eight for running." If anyone has access to the paper and could better show the algorithm I would be super thankful. EDIT: I think I figured out more but still not positive about MET unless the 2 for if heart rate hit max walking and 8 for if heart rate hit max with running. [(Measured Heart Rate Max/(220-age))100 + 12MET - 4*age + (43 if female)]

lucaspiller 12y ago
So basically the closer your actual maximum heart rate when excersising vs your age estimated maximum heart rate[0] the healthier you are. [0] http://www.runningforfitness.org/faq/hrmax http://www.runningforfitness.org/faq/hrmax
- sfeng 12y ago
  If I'm reading it correctly, it's actually the higher your maximum heart rate is, when compared to your age estimate. If your percentage is over 100, it would give you a higher score, even as your number gets less 'close'.
- mrfusion 12y ago
  I'm confused though because as you increase your endurance your heart is able to get more oxygen to your body while beating slowing. For example the heart rate of a marathon runner's first mile might not look much different than you or I going on a walk.
  - msandford 12y ago
    They stress you to the point of maximal exertion. This will favor fit people for a couple of reasons. 1. The fitter you are the more experience you have working through the pain of maximal exertion and the closer you can get to your true max 2. The fitter you are the better shape your heart is in and the easier it is to break your age estimated max heart rate When I was 25 I rode competitively for my university in grad school. Max heart rate prediction is 220 - age so my theoretical max was 195 but I routinely saw numbers above 200 and occasionally above 205 and a few times over 210. Further the metabolic equivalent is what really does the correction. If your heart rate hit max at a brisk walk you don't get very many bonus points; if it hits max at a run you get a lot of bonus points (past your heart rate) and your score goes up considerably.
    - mrfusion 12y ago
      That's interesting. I always figured the max heart rate by age was just a recommendation. But you're saying the max heart rate actually decreases as you age? What would cause that? So I guess it's good I can get 5 bpm above my age max but bad that a 6MPH jog for 5 minutes is all it takes?
      - frogpelt 12y ago
        My guess is that the heart is a muscle and just like other muscles it tends to not have as much output as you age.
        msandford 12y ago
        I actually suspect that it has less to do with your heart and more to do with your fitness. People generally get less fit as time goes on and thus the target heart rates reflect that. I rode with one guy who was in his 50s and could still hit 190ish no problem (while outriding us college kids), mostly because he was monstrously fit. If your muscles are able to do less as you age (and that I definitely believe!) then it's easy to see that it's harder to produce the same amount of power. As the power requirements on your heart decrease it slows down. So for a younger guy who can make 1000 watts peak his heart rate might be 210 to do so. An older guy might only be able to make 800 watts peak and have a heart rate of 180 for that amount of power.

lucaspiller 12y ago

So basically the closer your actual maximum heart rate when excersising vs your age estimated maximum heart rate[0] the healthier you are. [0] http://www.runningforfitness.org/faq/hrmax http://www.runningforfitness.org/faq/hrmax

sfeng 12y ago
If I'm reading it correctly, it's actually the higher your maximum heart rate is, when compared to your age estimate. If your percentage is over 100, it would give you a higher score, even as your number gets less 'close'.
mrfusion 12y ago
I'm confused though because as you increase your endurance your heart is able to get more oxygen to your body while beating slowing. For example the heart rate of a marathon runner's first mile might not look much different than you or I going on a walk.
- msandford 12y ago
  They stress you to the point of maximal exertion. This will favor fit people for a couple of reasons. 1. The fitter you are the more experience you have working through the pain of maximal exertion and the closer you can get to your true max 2. The fitter you are the better shape your heart is in and the easier it is to break your age estimated max heart rate When I was 25 I rode competitively for my university in grad school. Max heart rate prediction is 220 - age so my theoretical max was 195 but I routinely saw numbers above 200 and occasionally above 205 and a few times over 210. Further the metabolic equivalent is what really does the correction. If your heart rate hit max at a brisk walk you don't get very many bonus points; if it hits max at a run you get a lot of bonus points (past your heart rate) and your score goes up considerably.
  - mrfusion 12y ago
    That's interesting. I always figured the max heart rate by age was just a recommendation. But you're saying the max heart rate actually decreases as you age? What would cause that? So I guess it's good I can get 5 bpm above my age max but bad that a 6MPH jog for 5 minutes is all it takes?
    - frogpelt 12y ago
      My guess is that the heart is a muscle and just like other muscles it tends to not have as much output as you age.
      - msandford 12y ago
        I actually suspect that it has less to do with your heart and more to do with your fitness. People generally get less fit as time goes on and thus the target heart rates reflect that. I rode with one guy who was in his 50s and could still hit 190ish no problem (while outriding us college kids), mostly because he was monstrously fit. If your muscles are able to do less as you age (and that I definitely believe!) then it's easy to see that it's harder to produce the same amount of power. As the power requirements on your heart decrease it slows down. So for a younger guy who can make 1000 watts peak his heart rate might be 210 to do so. An older guy might only be able to make 800 watts peak and have a heart rate of 180 for that amount of power.