Which statement about a cool-down after exercise is accurate?

• A. It increases heart rate.
• B. It decreases heart rate.
• C. It has no effect on heart rate.
• D. It must last at least thirty minutes.

Answer: (B)

A proper cooldown helps heart rate come down gradually after exercise. After you finish, the body still works at a higher pace to restore oxygen levels and clear metabolic byproducts, so heart rate stays elevated if you stop abruptly. Continuing light activity and gentle stretching keeps blood moving, supports venous return to the heart, and allows the autonomic system to shift toward a calmer state. This lets heart rate fall toward resting levels rather than dropping suddenly or staying high. It’s typically about 5 to 10 minutes, not a fixed 30 minutes. So, decreasing heart rate is the accurate outcome of a cooldown.