Originally Posted by
Artmo
I can't remember where I read it, but it was in a scientific paper which stated that you cannot increase your max HR. It is what it is and it will decrease with age. A better calculation for HR max is (210-(0.5 x age)) - 5% body weight in pounds +4 for male, 0 for female. For me at age 76 and weighing 215 pounds, it works out at 165 and I haven't been able to exceed this (unless I was in a-fib!).
On the other hand, as you get fitter, your resting HR will decrease, but this decrease may also be as a result of sick sinus syndrome due to aging.
Every individual heart rate is different. That formula was created by Doctors during a flight to a conference and was never intended to become the reference it has.
When I started riding in 2009 at age 67 my maximum rate was 167 bpm minutes. As I became more fit it went to 192 which when it happened caused me to drape over the handle bar trying to recover. Last summer I again revisited that level but continue to ride in recover and I set personal bests in certain benchmark ride segments. Every year since 2010 have got my heart to that level in really hard climbs.
My resting rate is higher than most in my condition, the mid 60s, and according to my Doc that everyone's heart is different and mine beats faster. My wife's observation is that it's because it has to work harder because it is tiny and cold
Anyway I am soon to be 75 and feel much fitter than when I was 60 partially because I lost 50 pounds and mostly because I took up cycling. On the other hand I ride with one friend that is 79 that drops me on every hill. Frustrating if it weren't he inspires me that I might be that good some day.
Bob