The 180 Formula in Different Sports

A frequently asked question is whether different heart rates should be used for different endurance activities. For example, should the maximum aerobic heart rate, as determined by the 180 Formula, while swimming be different when the same athlete is cycling or running? The short answer is no. The 180 Formula holds true for all aerobic training activities. At the same heart rate, different endurance sports require essentially the same levels of metabolic activities. However, other aspects are quite different when comparing swimming to running, for example. One significant difference is perceived exertion, which is a subjective feeling the athlete has in relation to the workout. In this case, swimming will “feel” more difficult compared to running at the same heart rate.