PHYSICAL-FITNESS AND HEART-RATE RECOVERY FROM STRESS

Relationships were examined between a variety of exercise and fitness- related variables and heart rate recovery from a mental stressor. One hundred and eight women took part in two laboratory sessions. In the f irst session exercise and fitness measures were taken. In the second s ession subjects completed health and stress-related questionnaires, an d heart rate recovery from a serial subtraction task was measured. Fas ter heart rate recovery was significantly correlated with several fitn ess indices including VO2Max. However, faster heart rate recovery was not associated with improved health or mood, or lower general life str ess. In contrast, benefits in these areas were related to higher level s of fitness and exercise.