Validity of Using Heart Rate as a Predictor of Oxygen Consumption in Dance

Abstract

The validity of predicting oxygen uptake (VO2) from heart rate (HR) was examined in 19 professional modern dancers of both genders ranging in age from 21 to 29 years. The subjects were measured on two occasions; once during a multi-stage graded treadmill test and again during their usual modern dance class. The data showed significant differences during both the treadmill test or dance class at lower intensities of less than 20 ml·kg-1·min-1 (p ≤ 0.03) and paradoxically no significant differences between the relationships at intensities greater than 20 ml·kg-1·min-1. However results also identified large individual variability and when taken into account the great variability, it would seem unacceptable to predict the VO2 from HR values in dance, based on the HR-VO2 relationship established from a progressive treadmill protocol. Furthermore, given that dance is a non-steady-state activity and is executed at low to moderate intensities with occasional anaerobic bursts, it seems unlikely that the HR-VO2 relationship established from a steady-state laboratory test can be relied upon as a predictor of VO2 in dance.