Effects of physical training on the heart rate and electrocardiographic response to sudden exertion

Five policemen (26-46 years) participated in a Police Fitness Program lasting for 13 to 16 weeks. They either jogged or combined walking and jogging for a minimum of two miles per session until the time of the post test. As a result, all of the officers reduced their percentage of body fat, and four of the five policemen increased their maximal oxygen consumption. Training had no effect on the initial heart rate response to a fifteen second sudden exertion run on the treadmill at nine mph., twenty percent incline. The rate of recovery, however, was improved in all subjects. No electrocardiographic abnormalities were observed either before or after training. Because a limited number of subjects completed the study, the amount of data was insufficient to make any conclusive statements about the effects of physical training on the heart rate and electrocardiographic response to sudden exertion.