How does maximum heart rate change as a person ages?

As a person ages, their maximum heart rate tends to decrease. This decline is a natural physiological response associated with aging, influenced by factors such as decreased cardiac output and changes in the heart's electrical conduction system. Specifically, the commonly used formula for estimating maximum heart rate is 220 minus a person’s age, which highlights this trend. As individuals grow older, their maximum heart rate may lower, affecting their exercise intensity levels and training methods.

This understanding is crucial for fitness professionals when designing exercise programs, as it underscores the need to adjust intensity levels to match the individual’s current fitness capabilities and health status. By recognizing this trend, fitness instructors can prescribe safe and effective exercise intensities for older adults to help maintain cardiovascular health without overexerting themselves.