Age, weight and heart rate at rest as predictors of aerobic fitness

The hypothesis that heart rate at rest may be correlated to V̄O₂max was based on the following: (a) Athletes have a low heart rate, correlated to their V̄O₂max. (b) Yemenite Jews have a high physical fitness score in comparison to other ethnic groups in Israel. They have a relatively low heart rate even among sedentary subjects. (c) Subjects with neurocirculatory asthenia (NCA) have a very high heart rate associated with a very low physical fitness score. Heart rate has been determined in 600 subjects aged 16-60 years who do not practice any sport. The subjects were twice examined, one week apart. The V̄O₂max of all subjects was predicted according to Astrand's method. The results were adapted by computer, using the SPSS and BMDP methods. A correlation was established between the physical fitness of the subjects and their weight, age, rest heart rate and height according to the following formula: V̄O₂max=48.8-0.3xage-0.3xweight-0.16xhr+0.18xheight. Multiple r was 0.67 and significant. The above formula may be used for prediction and comparison of physical fitness scores among large population groups, for screening purposes as well as for training programs.