Children's Heart Rates: Determining the Threshold Beyond Which It's Too Elevated
Let 'Em Run:
Kids and Exercise: It's a no-brainer that kids need to move. They need activity to build muscles, toughen bones, and give their young hearts a workout. But just how intense should that workout be? Well, seemed like a straightforward question, but it ain't that simple. With all the wearable gadgets monitoring heart rates, everyone's freaking out about finding that magic number for a child's maximum heart rate. So, let's find out if we can nail this down.
The Traditional Formula: You might be thinking, "I know how to calculate my own max heart rate – just subtract my age from 220." Yeah, that works fine for adults. But it falls short when it comes to kids.
"That formula creates a maximum heart rate that's too high for children under age 18," reveals Dr. Kenneth Zahka. The average max heart rate for on-the-go kids between the ages of 8 and 17 usually hovers in the mid-190s. Using the traditional formula, an 8-year-old would have a max heart rate of 212 – way off the mark.
What's Different About Kids' Hearts? A child's heart is smaller, less efficient, and beats faster than an adult's. These factors interfere with the traditional formula and make it inaccurate for kids. Their maximum heart rates can vary significantly depending on factors like diet, medications, health issues, and even genetics.
Feel, Don't Just Crunch Numbers: Since there's no exact formula for figuring out a kid's max heart rate, how can you tell if they're overdoing it? Basically, let them judge for themselves.
"Children, more often than not, will limit their exercise on their own," says Dr. Zahka. Signs that a child is overexerting themselves and creating exercise stress would include dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or having trouble breathing beyond the typical effort. If they show these symptoms, they should take a break, rest, and rehydrate.
When to Worry: Kids typically have higher resting heart rates during their infant and toddler years, with numbers dipping as they reach adolescence. If a child's resting heart rate consistently spikes above the expected range for their age, it might be worth checking it out.
So, while there isn't a formula for calculating a child's maximum heart rate, focusing on their overall health, physical condition, and ability to handle exercise is crucial. And you better believe kids know when they've had enough – so let them guide themselves!
Children should be encouraged to engage in fitness-and-exercise, but it's important to remember that the traditional formula for calculating maximum heart rate isn't accurate for kids, due to their smaller, less efficient hearts. Instead of solely relying on gadgets and health-and-wellness devices that provide heart rate data, it's essential to observe a child's overall health, physical condition, and ability to handle exercise, and let them judge when they've had enough.
