Unit 1: Introduction to the Brain

Lesson 7
Target Heartrate Activity Worksheet
Student Directions:  Follow the directions provided for parts I, II, III and IV of the worksheet.

Part I
Calculating Target Heart Rate

Step One:  To find the maximum heart rate (MHR): 

220 – (Your Age) = MHR
My MHR is: ________205______________

Step Two:  To find the lower end of your Target Heart Zone (THZ) in beats/minute:
MHR x 0.60 beats/minute = Lower end of Target Heart Zone

  My Low End of THZ is: _____123________

Step Three:  To find the upper end of your Target Heart Zone in beats/minute:
MHR x 0.80 beats/minute = Upper end of Target Heart Zone

My High End of THZ is: ______164_______

My Target Heart Zone (THZ) is _____123__________ to ______164__________ Beats/Minute.

Step Four:  To find the lower end of your Target Heart Zone in beats/10 seconds:
Answer from Step Two/6 = ____20.5_____________ beats/10 seconds

Step Five:  To find the upper end of your Target Heart Zone in beats/10 seconds:
Answer from Step Three/6 = _____27.3____________ beats/10 seconds

My Target Heart Zone (THZ) is ___20.5___________ to _____27.3____________ in 10 seconds.

U1L7 Target Heartrate Activity Worksheet 1

 Unit 1: Introduction to the Brain
Lesson 7
Target Heartrate Activity Worksheet

Part II
How to Check Your Pulse
When you check your pulse, you are measuring the number of heart beats per minute.  You can measure
your pulse in one of 6 pulsation points.  The most common parts of your body used for pulse
counting are on your neck near the carotid artery, and on your wrist near the radial artery.  

To measure your pulse at your neck, place your index and middle
fingers below your jawbone and slide downward approximately 1 inch, pressing lightly.  This will be
your carotid artery.  See image.  If you are using this method to measure your pulse rate, be sure to
apply light pressure as too much pressure may cause your heart rate to slow down by reflex action.

To measure your pulse at your wrist, place your index and middle fingers right below the base of
your thumb.  Press lightly.  

Now, follow these steps:

1. Pick one pulsation point.  Count the number of beats for:

a. 60 seconds: ______67_________
b. Thirty seconds and multiply by 2: ______33_________
c. Fifteen seconds and multiply by 4: ______18_________
d. Six seconds and multiply by 10: ______8_________
e. Ten seconds and multiply by 6: ______12_________

U1L7 Target Heartrate Activity Worksheet 2

 Unit 1: Introduction to the Brain
Lesson 7
Target Heartrate Activity Worksheet
** NOTE:  If exercising, you should count the number of beats for 6 or 10 seconds since the heart rate
tends to decrease rather rapidly.

1. Use this method to calculate your Resting Heart Rate (RHR).

Part III
Calculating Recovery Time

1. Record your resting heart rate (RHR):  _________67 bpm__________________

2. With your group, complete the following activities non-stop.  Be sure to do your best the entire time.

● Jumping Jacks 20
● Jog in Place 1 minute
● Line Jumps 1 minute
● Jog in Place 1 minute
● Jumping Jacks 20

3. When you have completed all the activities listed above, stop and check your pulse.  Remember to
count for 10 seconds, multiply by 6.  

Record your Heart Rate Heart Rate _________150___________

4. Then, check your pulse each minute after you exercise until your heart rate is back to your Resting
Heart Rate (RHR).  See number 1 for your Resting Heart Rate.

1 min ____138_________ 6 min _____72_________

2 min ____108_________ 7 min ____66_________

3 min ______68_______ 8 min _____66_________

4 min ____72_________ 9 min ______72________

5 min _____70________           10 min _____66_________

1. Answer the questions below:

U1L7 Target Heartrate Activity Worksheet 3

 Unit 1: Introduction to the Brain
Lesson 7
Target Heartrate Activity Worksheet
How long did it take to get your heart rate back to your Resting Heart Rate (RHR)?

about four minutes

What do you think will happen to your recovery time if you were to exercise more?

As you exercise more your cardiovascular system will get used to exercising and your recovery time
will get shorter.

Part IV
Group Questions

● How many people in your group stated that they could feel the difference in their heart rate
before and after each activity?
We didn’t have groups
● For those that answered yes, why do they think they could feel a difference?

● Did you consciously raise your heart rate during the activity (as in did you tell your brain to raise
your heart rate), or did it happen involuntarily? Discuss in your group.

● If you had been asked to consider your breathing, do you think you would have consciously
controlled your breathing, or would it have happened involuntarily?

● Discuss in your group how heartrate and breathing may differ when considering voluntary and
involuntary functions of the body. Can you control one and not the other? Why or why not?

U1L7 Target Heartrate Activity Worksheet 4