1. What is Heart Rate Recovery?

Heart Rate Recovery (HRR) is the decrease in heart rate from peak exercise to rest, typically measured one minute after stopping exercise. It's an important indicator of cardiovascular fitness and autonomic nervous system function.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple HRR formula:

Where:

• \( HR_{exercise} \) — Peak heart rate during exercise (bpm)
• \( HR_{rest\_after} \) — Heart rate after rest period (typically 1 minute post-exercise)

Explanation: The greater the difference between peak exercise heart rate and recovery heart rate, the better the cardiovascular fitness.

3. Importance of HRR Measurement

Details: HRR is a strong predictor of mortality. A slower HRR (≤12 bpm decrease after 1 minute) may indicate poor cardiovascular fitness or autonomic dysfunction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your peak exercise heart rate and your heart rate after 1 minute of rest. Both values must be valid (positive numbers).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal HRR value?
A: Generally, a decrease of 12-20 bpm after 1 minute is normal. Values above 20 bpm indicate excellent cardiovascular fitness.

Q2: When should HRR be measured?
A: HRR is typically measured 1 minute after stopping exercise, though some protocols use 2 minutes.

Q3: What affects HRR?
A: Fitness level, age, medications (especially beta blockers), hydration status, and ambient temperature can all affect HRR.

Q4: Can I improve my HRR?
A: Yes, regular aerobic exercise can improve HRR over time as cardiovascular fitness improves.

Q5: Is HRR different from heart rate variability?
A: Yes, HRR measures the rate of heart rate decline after exercise, while HRV measures the beat-to-beat variations in heart rate.