Exercise and heart rate recovery

PURPOSE: This study examines whether heart rate recovery (HRR) improves as a result of exercise training during cardiac rehabilitation (CR). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed that included 100 patients who completed phase II CR and had entry and exit exercise stress tests. HRR was compared for the sample. Improvements in HRR were compared between gender and age groups. Correlation between age and HRR was performed. RESULTS: The total sample improved HRR (P = .020). There was no significant difference in the improvement of HRR based on gender, indicating males and females improve at similar rates (P = .833). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the improvement of HRR based on age, indicating older subjects improve similarly to younger subjects (P = .700). There was no relationship between age and HRR; therefore, as age increases there is no decrease in HRR. CONCLUSION: HRR improves in patients who complete CR.