Stears, A., Miller, D., Keuhl, K., Moe, E., Goldberg, L., & Elliot, D. (1998). Gender differences in maximal heart rate among various fitness categories. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 1377.

Healthy men and women (N = 1003; 39-46 years) were tested using a limited exercise treadmill protocol. Ss were divided into categories:

• Low fitness -- VO2max <26 ml/kg/min
• Average -- VO2max 27-38 ml/kg/min
• High -- VO2max >39 ml/kg/min

A gender difference was revealed only for the low fitness group with females recording higher (166 bpm) heart rates than males (154 bpm). Average fitness (M = 170 bpm; F = 165 bpm) and high fitness (M = 176 bpm; F = 175 bpm) groups were not discriminated on the basis of gender.

Implication. In middle-aged populations gender-specific heart rates are different only in low fitness groups.

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