Pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure are the three vital signs that provide an overall picture of fitness status. Your pulse rate, also known as your heart rate, is slowest when you're at rest and rises during exercise because your heart works harder to provide oxygen and nutrients to your body's muscles and vital organs during exercise. Normal pulse rates for healthy individuals vary by age, gender and level of fitness, according to Medline Plus.
Measuring Pulse Rate
Measure the pulse rate in older children and adults by pressing your fingers over any point where an artery passes close to the skin. If your child is older than 2 years, according to the "Essentials of Pediatric Nursing," place two fingers over the point where the radial pulse pulsates on the inside of his wrist and count the beats for one minute. If your child is younger than 2 years, position a stethoscope above and to the outside of her left nipple to listen for heartbeats in her chest.
Age
Premature newborns have a pulse rate of 120 to 170 beats per minute, compared with 100 to 150 for other babies between birth and 3 months of age, according to eMedicine Net. From six to 12 months, an infant's pulse is usually between 80 and 120. From 1 to 3 years of age, the normal range is 70 to 110 beats, and that number drops to 65 to 110 for 3- to 6-year-olds. The normal pulse rate for a 6- to 12-year-olds is 60 to 95, and the norm is 55 to 85 for children older than 12. While there are some differences in normal pulse rate throughout adulthood, those variations are insignificant, according to the Topend Sports Network. A 26-year-old man in good physical condition, for example, normally runs between 62 and 65 beats per minute. This number changes a bit over the years, but by age 65, his pulse rate should still measure between 62 and 65.
Gender
Women, as a rule, have slightly faster pulse rates than men of the same age group, according to the Topend Sports Network. A 45-year-old woman in good physical condition typically has a pulse between 65 and 69 beats a minute.
Fitness Level
Fitness level, on the other hand, can significantly impact the normal pulse rate in adults from age 18 onward. A 50-year-old man in average physical condition can expect a pulse rate of 72 to 76 beats a minute, according to the Topend Sports Network. His same-age colleague in excellent physical condition will have a pulse between 58 and 63 beats, while a well-conditioned athletic 50-year-old man may have a pulse between 50 and 57.
Considerations
Normal pulse rate ranges are designed for healthy individuals. Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Dr. Edward Laskowski notes that medical problems, drug use and other health factors can alter your pulse rate.
