The method involves assessing the decrease in an individual’s heartbeats per minute following the cessation of physical exertion. Specifically, it is the difference between peak heart rate achieved during exercise and the heart rate one minute after stopping that exercise. For instance, if a person’s heart rate reaches 180 beats per minute at the end of a run, and then drops to 150 beats per minute one minute later, the difference is 30 beats per minute.
Assessing cardiovascular function through this metric provides valuable insights into overall health and fitness. A faster return to a lower rate following activity generally indicates better cardiovascular fitness and autonomic nervous system function. Historically, medical professionals have used this measurement to identify individuals at higher risk for cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, making it a significant prognostic indicator.
