Final answer:
A target heart rate indicates how hard one should be working during exercise to optimize cardiovascular health. It is derived based on age and helps to ensure the heart is exercised efficiently, improving its strength and capacity without overexertion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The target heart rate provides information about how hard one should be working during exercise to potentially benefit the heart the most. It's a range of heart rate measurements indicating the intensity at which the cardiovascular system is receiving adequate exercise to strengthen it, without reaching excessive levels that might be harmful or less effective. Calculating the target heart rate involves subtracting your age from 220 to find your maximum heart rate and then using percentages of that number to find the lower and higher ends of your optimal workout intensity.
Regular aerobic exercise within this target zone helps to improve the strength and efficiency of your heart. This is related to the concept of cardiac output, which is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. Regular aerobic activity increases cardiac reserve - the difference between maximum and resting cardiac output, indicating the heart's capacity to pump additional blood during periods of physical activity.
A well-regulated heart rate during exercise, within the calculated range, ensures that the heart muscle gets a good workout and contributes to overall cardiovascular health.