heart rate recovery time

One study reported in the NEJM is based on the drop in HR from max exercise during a 1 minute recovery.
Recovery is 1.5 mph on a treadmill at 2.5 %.
Exercise was using the 'bruce' protocol.
The study found a relative risk of
6 for a recovery of 5 bpm
3 12
2 17
1 22
Risk is chance of dying within 5 years from a cardiac event. Bruce protocol used for stress.
Stage 1 is 1.7 mph at 10% grade (5 METs).
Stage 2 is 2.5 mph at 12% grade (7 METs).
Stage 3 is 3.4 mph at 14% grade (9 METs).
It goes higher, but most gym treadmills can't handle more grade.
Since the goal of the recovery test is to measure recovery, getting to max quickly can be achieved by speeding up the treadmill, as well as more grade.

It estimates vo2 max with VO2max = 14.8 - (1.379 x T) + (0.451 x T2) - (0.012 x T3). What are T, T2, T3?

Michael Lauer, author of the study explained it all in lay terms in 1999.

Its unfortunate that there are not studies for sub-maximal testing.

classic test #2 -- big improvement

Today's results
5 m each lap ::
3 mph 5% grade
3.5 mph 5% grade
3 mph 5% grade
4 mph 5% grade
3 mph 5% grade
4.5 mph 5% grade
5 mph 5% grade
5mph 0% grade
[In last segment pulse stabilized at ~154 (not ~170 like two weeks ago) -- today I continued...]
4 (perhaps 4.5) mph @ 5% grade
4 (perhaps 4.5) mph @ 5% grade -- yes, two laps 10 min total
3 mph 5% grade
6 mph @ 0% grade -- pulse in high 160s
1 minute only & pulse pulled up t 175
forgot exact next sequence, probably 3 mph at 5% pulse dropped below 120 quite quickly

Note that during the intervening two weeks, I had no hard exercise and little of any kind as work was very difficult and sleep hard to find.


~2 weeks ago
am weight: 193
% fat: 24.5

5 pm test/workout
5 m each lap ::
3 mph 5% grade
3.5 mph 5% grade
3 mph 5% grade
4 mph 5% grade
3 mph 5% grade
4.5 mph 5% grade
5 mph 5% grade
5mph 0% grade
In last segment pulse stablized at ~170

12 minute test

1.4 miles. First 12 minute test in years.
Translates to just over 40 vo2 max, although these translations are (largely/somewhat) bogus.
Still, a nice metric.

How fit are you? Our simple fitness test will determine your level of conditioning—and teach you how to improve it | Men's Fitness | Find Articles at BNET

How fit are you? Our simple fitness test will determine your level of conditioning—and teach you how to improve it | Men's Fitness | Find Articles at BNET

A Trail Runner's Blog: My VO2 Max Test Results

A Trail Runner's Blog: My VO2 Max Test Results: "Monday, February 05, 2007
My VO2 Max Test Results
My parents-in-law gave me a great gift for the holiday season this year - a gift certificate for a full VO2 Max and resting metabolism test. Last week I went to BaySport of Redwood City, CA, where Physical Therapist Brian Tomason put me through two sessions of testing to find out how my body utilized oxygen, fat, and calories. Both sessions used a system by New Leaf which tracked my oxygen and CO2 usage through a mask, and my heart rate. Brian doesn't get many ultrarunners, so he was excited to see what my 'abnormally high levels of racing' might yield."