What is a popular method for calculating exercise intensity known as the Karvonen Formula?

The Karvonen Formula is fundamentally centered around the concept of heart rate reserve, which reflects the range of heart rates available to an individual for exercise. The formula is designed to calculate the target heart rate during physical exercise, incorporating both the resting heart rate and the maximum heart rate.

To use the Karvonen Formula effectively, you first need to determine the maximum heart rate, typically estimated as 220 minus your age. Then, you subtract the resting heart rate from the maximum heart rate to find the heart rate reserve. This reserve is then multiplied by a percentage that corresponds to the desired exercise intensity (such as 50% to 85%), and then the resting heart rate is added back to this calculation to yield the target heart rate.

This method allows for more individualized exercise intensity calculations, considering both fitness level and personal heart rate data, making it a popular choice for those designing training programs tailored to the individual's capacity.

The other methods listed do not encapsulate the essence of the Karvonen Formula. For instance, while the target heart rate method seeks to set a heart rate goal for exercise, it doesn't account for the resting heart rate as integral to the calculation. The resting heart rate method simply uses that value without considering maximum heart rate,