Are age-predicted equations valid in predicting maximum heart rate in individuals after stroke?

Purpose To investigate the validity of six age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax) equations after stroke.Material and methods Sixty individuals (54 (12) years; 64 (69) months after stroke) were included. A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) performed on a treadmill obtained the HRmax. The most used age-predicted equations were investigated: (1) 220-age, proposed by Fox; (2) 206.9– (0.67 × age), proposed by Gellish; (3) 208– (0.7 × age), proposed by Tanaka; (4) 216.6– (0.84 × age), proposed by Astrand; (5) 164– (0.72 × age) and (6) 200– (0.92 × age) proposed by Brawner.Results No statistically significant agreement was found between the HRmax obtained by the CPET and the one predicted by the equations 1–5 (–0.18 ≤ 95% confidence interval ≤0.79). A significant and moderate agreement was found between the HRmax obtained by the CPET and the one predicted by equation (6) (95% CI= 0.05–0.75; Intraclass Correlation Coefficient= 0.51). Bland-Altman plots showed that equations (1–4) and (6) overestimated the HRmax. Equation (6) presented the lower mean difference.Conclusions The equations developed for non-disabled individuals (1–4) are not adequate to be used in individuals after a stroke. Equation (6) (Brawner) showed the best results to be used in individuals after stroke; however, it should be used cautiously.