vagal rebound
The rapid increase in parasympathetic nervous system activity following cessation of exercise, causing pronounced heart rate deceleration.
Full Definition
Vagal rebound describes the swift restoration and often overshoot of parasympathetic tone immediately after exercise termination, resulting in rapid heart rate recovery and sometimes pronounced bradycardia. This phenomenon occurs as sympathetic drive diminishes and vagal tone reasserts dominance over cardiac rhythm. In well-trained athletes, vagal rebound can be particularly pronounced, sometimes leading to transient heart rates below resting values. The magnitude and speed of vagal rebound serve as markers of cardiovascular fitness and autonomic nervous system health. Abnormal patterns may indicate overtraining, cardiac dysfunction, or autonomic imbalance requiring further evaluation in sports cardiology practice.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from general heart rate recovery; specify timing and magnitude when describing.
In Context
- "The marathon runner experienced pronounced vagal rebound, with his heart rate dropping from 180 to 45 bpm within two minutes post-exercise." — Exercise testing report
- "Blunted vagal rebound following the sprint workout suggested possible overtraining in the competitive swimmer." — Training monitoring assessment