What is the resting heart rate of people who run for a long time

People who run for a long time usually have a lower resting heart rate than the general population, typically around 50-60 beats per minute. Resting heart rate is influenced by factors such as exercise intensity, age, and genetics, and may be as low as 40 beats per minute in professional athletes. Long term adherence to running can enhance the pumping efficiency of the heart, increase myocardial contractility, and deliver more blood with each beat, so the heart does not need to beat frequently to meet oxygen supply needs. Aerobic exercise can also improve autonomic nervous system regulation function, and an increase in parasympathetic nervous tension naturally lowers heart rate. The normal range of resting heart rate for ordinary adults is 60-100 beats per minute, while regular runners are mostly in the lower range. Some marathon enthusiasts may experience sinus bradycardia but it is a physiological adaptation. In rare cases, pathological bradycardia should be monitored, and if accompanied by dizziness, fatigue, or fainting, sinus node dysfunction should be investigated. hypothyroidism, electrolyte imbalance, or myocarditis can also lead to abnormally low heart rate, and even if there are exercise habits, medical examination should be sought. Some antihypertensive drugs, such as beta blockers, can artificially lower heart rate, and a comprehensive judgment should be made based on medication history.

It is recommended that running enthusiasts regularly monitor their resting heart rate in the morning. If the value suddenly increases, it may indicate excessive fatigue or a precursor to infection. Daily use can be paired with a heart rate monitor or smartwatch to observe trends, while also paying attention to supplementing iron to prevent sports anemia. Middle aged and elderly runners need to pay attention to the coordinated changes in heart rate and blood pressure to avoid inducing arrhythmia during fasting morning runs. Maintain moderate exercise intensity and schedule 1-2 days of rest per week to allow the heart to fully recover.