Constantini, N. W., Olshinkq, N., Nice, S., & Scheinowitz, M. (2013). Correlation between physical fitness and physical activity level to heart rate recovery in healthy individuals. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 45(5), Supplement abstract number 2916.

This study investigated the relationships between heart-rate recovery, physical fitness, and physical activity level in Ss who performed a cardio-pulmonary exercise test. It also investigated which of the two (physical fitness or activity level) had a greater impact on heart-rate recovery. Cardio-pulmonary exercise test results (N = 651; mean age 44; age range 17-65 years; 68% males; 32% females) were analyzed. Demographics and physical-activity levels were extracted from self-reported questionnaires. Height, weight, resting heart rate, maximal heart rate, maximal oxygen uptake, and heart-rate recovery at 1, 3, and 5 minutes post-peak exercise had been recorded. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the significance of the association between the variables.

Physical fitness and physical activity levels were significantly correlated. There was no significant difference in heart-rate recovery between genders at 1, 3, and 5 minutes post-exercise. The difference between treadmill and cycle ergometer heart-rate recoveries was significant only at 5 minutes post-exercise. Heart-rate recoveries at 1, 3, 5 minutes were correlated with age, resting heart rate, and body-mass index. Heart-rate recovery at 1 minute was correlated with physical fitness but not physical activity level. Heart-rate recovery at 3 and 5 minutes was correlated with physical activity level but not with physical fitness.

Implication. The first phase of heart-rate recovery (~1-2 minutes) after a maximal exercise stress test is influenced by physical fitness state, whereas the second phase (3+ minutes) is influenced by physical activity level but not physical fitness state.

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