Heart rate monitors, just like balls, hoops and jump ropes, help you teach your students fitness and provide exercise guidelines for a healthy heart and fit body. This formula uses the theoretical maximum heart rate of 220 beats per minute, minus age. This formula is based on figures for adults and is not recommended for use with children . It is important to teach students pacing and intensity, but specific target zone training is not appropriate for use in children.
Children are remarkably able to adjust their levels of activity to their individual capability.
Maximum heart rate in healthy children is about 200 beats per minute, and there is no need to arbitrarily restrict them to lower heart rates. Therefore, taking target heart rates in healthy children is neither recommended nor necessary. PE programs use age appropriate fitness lessons. Students receive the cardiovascular exercise they need, while in an appropriate range for their age, but without the strict adherence to specific zones. Children can play above or below zones and still receive a healthy and fit body, and have fun doing it.