John, D., Sforzo, G. A., & Swensen, T. (2006). Post-exercise heart rate measurement after group exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 1934.

This study measured the typical delay in obtaining post-exercise heart rate by Ss in a group exercise class and to determine if actual exercise heart rate can be predicted from immediate post-exercise heart rate recovery. Females (N = 41) were filmed during an exercise class. Films were reviewed to determine time taken for Ss to obtain self-palpated heart rates at the exercise class mid-point and end-point. Actual heart rate was recorded in 10-second intervals during and for one minute after exercise with a heart rate monitor. Ss were blind to heart rate measures.

The average delays before obtaining mid-point and end-point self- measured heart rates were ~19.5 and ~17.8 seconds, respectively. There was a significant difference between actual and self-measured heart rates at both times. There was a reasonable correlation between actual and self-measured heart rates.

Implication. Differences between actual and self-measured heart rates are attributable mainly to the near 20-second delay before a palpated heart rate can be obtained. However, because of the relationship between actual and self-measured heart rates, the implication of using palpated heart rates is similar to that obtained through actual heart rates. This relationship lasts only in the first minute post-exercise because heart rate declines linearly.

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