Q.Using the standard estimate HRₘₐₓ ≈ 220 - age, the estimated maximum heart rate of a 17-year-old student is:
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Maximum heart rate is estimated by subtracting age from 220; for a 17-year-old this yields 203 bpm.
The Maximum Heart Rate Formula
Maximum heart rate represents the highest number of beats per minute your heart can achieve during all-out physical exertion. It is a physiological ceiling that declines predictably with age as the heart's intrinsic pacemaker cells slow and cardiovascular elasticity decreases.
The standard age-predicted formula is:
HRₘₐₓ = 220 - age (in years)
This estimate is used worldwide in exercise prescription to set training zones. For example, moderate-intensity aerobic work is typically prescribed at 60–70% of maximum heart rate, while vigorous intervals might target 80–90%. Knowing your maximum heart rate allows you to calculate these thresholds without performing a dangerous all-out test.
Calculation for a 17-Year-Old
Substitute the age directly into the formula:
HRₘₐₓ = 220 - 17 = 203 bpm
The estimated maximum heart rate is 203 beats per minute.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
- 183 bpm would correspond to a 37-year-old (220 - 37 = 183). This underestimates the maximum for a teenager, whose cardiovascular system is at near-peak capacity.
- 193 bpm would be the estimate for a 27-year-old (220 - 27 = 193). Again, this is too low for someone in their late teens. …
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