Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Say I was about to run and my heart rate was (x) amount.After I ran my heart rate was (y) amount.How long would i have to wait until my heart rate return to its (x) amount?

Hi, Bobby! I am glad you are taking an interest in science questioning. Great questions can lead to great discoveries! The situation you described is very ambiguous, as many factors can contribute to one's recovery heart rate, like their fitness level, level of intensity of exercise, etc. There are a few sources that I would recommend exploring to learn more about it.

This site talks a little about recovery heart rate:
http://www.berkeleywellness.com/fitness ... our-health
The length of time it takes for heart rate to return to normal is a good measure of fitness. The more fit you are, the faster the recovery. Your heart rate drops most sharply in the first minute after you stop exercising; it should then fall about 20 beats a minute—a drop of less than 12 beats a minute is considered abnormal. This “recovery heart rate” is measured as part of an exercise stress test.

This source goes in depth into recover heart rate, and the changes in heart rate after exercise:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/26080 ... -exercise/
After the first minute of recovery, heart rate declines into what’s called the resting plateau. During this phase, heart rate progressively declines to pre-workout levels over a 60-minute period. As your heart becomes more fit, you can reach pre-workout levels in a shorter amount of time.

Thanks! Let me know if you have any other questions.