The purpose of heart rate recovery (HRR) is to test cardiovascular endurance by measuring how quickly your heart rate returns to its normal resting level after physical activity. It reflects the efficiency of your cardiovascular system and the balance of your autonomic nervous system, specifically how fast your body shifts from the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state during exercise to the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state during recovery
. HRR is calculated by taking the difference between your peak heart rate at the end of exercise and your heart rate one minute after stopping the activity. A faster heart rate recovery indicates better cardiovascular fitness and a healthier heart, while slower recovery can signal lower fitness levels and higher risk for cardiovascular diseases
. In summary, HRR serves as a key indicator of cardiovascular endurance and overall heart health by assessing how quickly your heart rate decreases after exercise
