Answer :
Final answer:
To determine someone's estimated maximal heart rate, A) subtract their age from 220. This method, MHR = 220 - age, is a foundation for calculating exercise intensities, even as alternative formulas exist for more precise estimates.
Explanation:
The question, "How can you determine someone's estimated maximal heart rate?" has a clear answer, which is to subtract the person's age from 220. This method is traditionally used for estimating a person's maximum age-related heart rate, a crucial factor for designing effective fitness programs and ensuring exercise safety. This formula, MHR = 220 - age, serves as a foundational guideline for calculating both the maximum heart rate (MHR) and the target heart rate zones for physical activities of varying intensities.
For instance, if you are 50 years old, the estimated maximum heart rate would be 170 beats per minute (220 - 50 = 170 bpm). Based on this, for moderate-intensity physical activities, the target heart rate should be between 50 to 70% of the MHR, which translates to a range of 85 to 119 bpm for a 50-year-old. This approach, although not exclusive with newer formulas available such as 206 - (0.67 x age) or 208 - (0.7 x age), remains a widely accepted and simple method to help guide exercise intensity.