I have been a rider for 28 years and have recently gotten a HRM. I maintain a relatively high level of aerobic fitness with riding 60+ hard miles/wk and skiing hard all winter. Nevertheless I find my HR stays elevated (20-40 bpm above my usual 70-75) for 3+ hrs after a ride. By "ride" I mean a 3 1/2 hr , 50 mile climb with 4300' of elevation gain (today's ride). Sometimes it takes until the next AM for the HR to get back to my normal of 65-75 bpm. BTW, my AM resting rate is 60-65. Any thoughts, ideas and weblinks for the science and meaning of this phenomena would be appreciated.
I also found my heart rate to stay elevated for quite a while after racing or training but have been informed that this was normal and due to the body requiring to adapt and to repair the damage cause from physical exercise.
However, if you'll looking for more detail advise on training and recovery I would suggest you will probably be better off posting this question in the Cycling Training Forum as there always appears to be a lot more activity in this line of questioning.
It could be a natural reaction to the ratio of oxygen to CO2 being different while you ride than while resting, similar to hyperventilating. Your body thinks that the extra oxygen is bad for you and the heart is trying to get it out of your system. It doesn't know which way the imbalance is, only that it isn't right. But see a doctor just to make sure.
3 hours or so after the ride is an indication that your metabolism is still hyped fom the exercise -- a good thing. the next AM means you pushed it a bit too much, ease off that day. the older we get, the more we need to recover -- it's just a fact. but if it CONCERNS you, tell doc about it.
This is called EPOC Excess Post Exercise Oxygen Consumption, basically your HR will remain elevated (from resting rate) after any physical activity and is normal, the more intense the effort the longer and higher the HR will remain elevated. During exercise the CV system is deleivering more O2 to the cells and clearing CO2 at a much faster rate, and this contunues post exercise. This is related to oxygen debt, anytime you exercise there is a O2 debt that must repaid later, Body temp is also elevated post exercise, which keep the metabolic rate elevated thus increasing HR and O2 consumption. Ever notice HR is higher at the same work rate and after when it is hot out when exercising? The levels of norepineprine and epinphrine are also elevated during exercise also adding to increased HR. This is normal what is not normal is if the HR is remaining very elevated after exercise longer than normal for you. Example I was holding 188-190 about 380 watts for 2X10min repeats HR was dropping to 120 during the 5min recovery period still pedaling up hill, after the ride it stayed around 80 till the next morning down to 46 but elevated from my usal 38-42 RHR when fully recovered. Everyone is a little differnt so take notice of what is normal for you.
I know this is a very old post but i wanted to thank you for explaining your experience with post exercise recovery. Im a 36 year old male who was concerned with the elevated heart rate thing since mine would sometimes take hours to return to normal post workout. On some days my normal rate returns quickly other days at can take overnight and still be slightly over baseline and at other times lower than baseline. intensity more than duration duration seems to cause it to recover slower. my fitness is average 1-2 hours a week workout 35 min sessions 40-90 percent effort and sporadic sustained walking activity at work.
