Anderson, C. S., Mahon, A. D., & Brooker, M. J. (2001). Heart rate recovery in children following aerobic exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 1759.

Children (age ~10 yr; M = 8; F = 8) were measured on a bicycle ergometer for VO2max. On separate days, they then performed the following: a) 3-min warm up at 40% VO2max, 2-min rest, 5-min at 85-90% VO2max, 2-min cool down at 40% VO2max, 3-min rest; and b) 3-min warm up at 40% VO2max, 2-min rest, 5-min at 70 watts, 2-min cool down at 25 watts, 3-min rest. Heart rate was measured at 1 and 3-min post-exercise and calculated as a percentage of the exercising heart rate.

There was no significant relationship between recovery heart rates and work intensity in either gender. VO2max was significantly higher in boys when compared to girls.

Implication. Recovery heart rate is not related to aerobic fitness in children. It should not be used as a method for evaluating fitness.

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