GLOSSARY

Resting heart rate (RHR) is the number of heartbeats per minute in a state of complete physical and mental rest; the best time to measure it is in the morning, immediately after waking and before getting out of bed.

Values

• Typical adults: 60–100 beats per minute; most healthy people fall between 60 and 80.
• Endurance athletes: usually 40–60; elite runners and cyclists are sometimes below 40.

Why It Falls with Training

• Increased parasympathetic (vagal) tone.
• Reduced intrinsic sinoatrial node rate, which recent research also considers important.
• Increased stroke volume: the heart pumps more blood with each beat, so it needs fewer beats.

Relevance to Sport