What is one method for measuring exercise intensity using heart rate?

Measuring exercise intensity using heart rate is a reliable method, and one effective approach is to assess the percentage of maximum heart rate. This involves calculating a target heart rate based on an individual's maximum heart rate, which can be generally estimated by subtracting their age from 220.

Using a percentage of maximum heart rate allows for personalized training zones, enabling individuals to exercise at different intensities according to their fitness goals, whether it be fat burning, aerobic conditioning, or performance enhancement. Common targets include working within 50-85% of maximum heart rate, depending on fitness level and exercise objectives. This method is scientifically backed and widely used in fitness programming for ensuring that participants are exercising at an appropriate intensity to achieve desired results safely.

In contrast, the other methods presented do not directly measure exercise intensity in the same manner. A maximal weight test assesses strength capacity rather than cardiovascular response, body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body composition and does not reflect exercise intensity, and duration of exercise, while important, does not provide a direct measure of how hard the body is working in terms of cardiovascular effort.