Table 2. Summary of Methods for Prescribing Exercise Intensity Using Heart Rate, Oxygen Uptake, and Metabolic Equivalents

Exercise prescriptions
• Heart rate reserve method: target heart rate = [(HRmax/peak‍* − HRrest) × % intensity desired] + HRrest• VO2 method: target VO2R† = [(VO2max/peak‍‡ − VO2rest) × % intensity desired] + VO2rest• Heart rate method: target heart rate = HRmax/peak* × % intensity desired• VO2 method: target VO2‍† = VO2max/peak‡ × % intensity desired

HR_max/peak is the highest value obtained during maximal/peak exercise or it can be estimated via a prediction equation.
Activities at the target VO₂ and MET can be determined using a compendium of physical activity or metabolic calculations.
VO_2max/peak is the highest value obtained during maximal/peak exercise or it can be estimated from a submaximal exercise test.
HR_max/peak: maximal or peak heart rate, HRR: heart rate reserve, HR_rest: resting heart rate, VO₂: oxygen consumption, VO₂R: oxygen uptake reserve, VO_2max/peak: maximal or peak volume of oxygen comsumed per unit of time, VO_2rest: resting volume of oxygen consumed per unit of time