Hautala, A. J., Tulppo, M. P., Makikallio, T. H., Laukkanen, R., Nissila, S., & Huikuri, H. V. (2000). Heart rate dynamics before and after long-term maximal exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 720.

Heart rate dynamics, 24 hours before and 48 hours after a 75-km cross-country ski race, were studied in males (N = 10).

A large individual variation was observed in the recovery time of spectral heart rate frequency, with that time being moderately related to maximal oxygen consumption on a bicycle exercise test. There was a tendency for greater rebound on the second day than on the first.

Implication. Heart rate recovery is very individual and appears to be accelerated on the second day, as opposed to the first, after an extensive endurance race.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.