In post-exercise heart rate recovery, what is the minimum drop in heart rate after 1 minute?

• A. 8
• B. 12
• C. 20
• D. 30

Answer: (B)

Post-exercise heart rate recovery shows how quickly the heart rate falls once you stop exercising, mainly reflecting parasympathetic (vagal) reactivation as the body returns to rest. The commonly used minimum drop in the first minute is 12 beats per minute. Achieving at least this much reduction indicates adequate vagal re-engagement and a healthier autonomic response. A smaller drop suggests slower parasympathetic restoration and can be associated with higher cardiovascular risk. While larger drops can occur in very fit individuals, the threshold used to indicate normal recovery is 12 beats per minute.