Perceptions of the Heart-Rate Guide

Abstract

Preliminary assessment was made concerning perceptions of the newly developed bean-rate guide, devised as an educational tool to promote physical activity. Unlike the traditional target heart-rate chart, the heart-rate guide illustrates the value of low to moderate intensity physical activity. Following a brief lecture about the Surgeon General's report on physical activity and health and the usefulness of heart-rate charts and guides, 120 college students (M age 21.5 ± 2.8 yr.) completed a self-report survey consisting of statements regarding their use of target heart rates during exercise and their perceptions of the new heart-rate guide as compared to the traditional heart-rate chart. 83% of the subjects reported that the new guide better illustrated the findings from the Surgeon General's report, 5% reported no difference between the guide and the chart, and 12% reported that the chart better illustrated the report's findings (p<.01). 48% never measure their heart rates when they exercise, 48% sometimes measure their heart rates and 4% always do so (p< 01). While the new guide should not replace the traditional chart, these results suggest that college students perceive the heart-rate guide as a useful tool despite the fact that only a small percentage of students regularly measure their heart rates when they exercise.