Cardiomuscular Recovery
The cardiomuscular recovery system’s responses to exercise, especially resistance and anaerobic fitness training, have been studied extensively. This work has revealed that it takes the cardiovascular system much longer to recover from these workouts than aerobic exercise, and that the heart rate returns to a normal resting level slower as well.
How can I improve my cardiovascular recovery?
The cardiovascular system must shunt greater quantities of blood out of the working muscles and return blood to vital organs, as well as clear the accumulation of waste products (lactate & CO2). These hemodynamic adjustments are driven by a combination of parasympathetic withdrawal and sympathetic activation, and can cause a disproportionately large reduction in arterial pressure during recovery from resistance or anaerobic training.
Cardiovascular recovery is also a good indicator of a person’s fitness level, as the longer the time it takes for the heart to return to a normal rate after exercise, the less fit a person is. Researchers have found that shorter heart rates recovery times are associated with a lower risk of several health conditions, including heart disease.
Apple’s new feature that tracks this heart rate is called “Cardio Recovery,” and it’s available on all Apple Watch models, as well as the iPhone. This article explores what Cardio Recovery is, how to track it with the watch and iPhone, why it’s important, how to improve your Cardio Recovery number, and tips for safety considerations when exercising.
