Final answer:
True, exercising at your target heart rate is beneficial for the body and heart. The target heart rate, calculated based on age, ensures effective cardiovascular workouts and maximum health benefits, including increased efficiency and reduced disease risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that your body and heart receive the most benefit from exercise at your target heart rate is true. Exercising at your target heart rate ensures you are working your cardiovascular system efficiently without overexerting yourself, which can lead to maximum health benefits. Your target heart rate can be calculated by subtracting your age from 220, then multiplying the result by 60% for the lower limit and 85% for the upper limit. Regular exercise within this range can help strengthen the heart muscle, increase cardiac reserve, and improve overall cardiovascular health. Activities like sprinting, which is an anaerobic exercise, and aerobic exercises recommended by the American Heart Association for at least 20-30 minutes, 3-5 times a week, contribute to cardiovascular health and can even lower the risk of heart attack by nearly 50 percent. An athlete's heart, which is larger due to regular exercise, can work more efficiently with a lower heart rate and increased stroke volume, allowing for prolonged activity before muscle fatigue sets in.