Introduction and objective:

Maximum heart rate (MHR) is essential to establish the effort, intensity and strategies for physical activity. For this, there are more than 40 formulas; among the best known are 220-Age and Tanaka. The objective of this research is to determine the validity and effectiveness of the equations for MHR.

Material and methods:

Observational, descriptive and transversal study with a sample of 300 participants (181 women and 119 men) with a mean age of 26 ± 10 years. For the development of this research, we used anthropometry, vital signs, Borg scale and questionnaire for cardiovascular risk factors and a stress test and compare the data with 25 equations of MHR.

Results:

Maximum heart rate by stress test of the 300 participants was 179.6 ± 15 beats per minute; regarding 25 equations, was observed an overestimation up to 19 beats per minute. Only the formulas of Morris and Graettinger scored less than 4 beats per minute apart to stress test.

Conclusions:

No one is recommended equations evaluated for their significant difference in the stress test; especially 220-edad, Hossack y Bruce, Cooper and Lester whose difference mean were above 14 beats per minute (p = 0.000). The equation of Morris (p = 0.380) no were found significant differences and were the most successful to estimate the MHR for a minimum difference compared to a stress test.