Dear researchers,
I am currently working on estimating training zones for pediatric and adolescent populations, and I would like to ask if anyone is aware of any validated or recommended formulas to calculate training zones using only maximum, minimum, and/or average heart rate—without requiring resting heart rate, specifically in children and adolescents. In adult populations, I have come across approaches such as heart rate zone methods proposed by Edwards, and other variants that do not require resting HR, as applied in the following article: Borresen, J., & Lambert, M.I. (2008). Quantifying Training Load: A Comparison of Subjective and Objective Methods. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 3(1), 16–30. This study compares methods like TRIMP, SHRZ, and session-RPE, based on heart rate zones defined by percentages of HRmax. I am wondering if similar approaches exist that have been adapted or validated for youth populations. Any guidance, references, or insights you could share would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Emilio Villa-González . I hope this chapter from Armstrong and Barker will be helpful. Article Endurance Training and Elite Young Athletes
"The intensity of exercise appears to be crucial
and of the 10 studies which used a training stimulus
of 85– 90% of HRmax 8 induced significant
increases in peak V˙ O2. Two studies have specifically
addressed training intensity. Savage et al.
[69] observed a significant increase in peak V˙O2
in boys who trained at 85% of HRmax but no increase
in peak V˙ O2 in boys who trained at 70%
of HRmax. Similarly, Massicotte and MacNab [54]
compared boys who trained for 12 min, three
times per week, for 6 weeks at intensities of
66– 72% HRmax, 75– 80% HRmax, and 88– 93% of
HRmax. Only the highest intensity training group
significantly improved their peak V˙ O2."
MAS is also a helpful metric for intensity prescription. Regards!
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