After how many minutes does heart rate typically plateau during exercise?

During exercise, the heart rate response generally increases rapidly as the intensity of the activity rises. After a short initial period—typically within 2-3 minutes—the heart rate will reach a steady-state or plateau. This plateau reflects the body's adjustment to the increased demand for oxygen and energy. At this point, the cardiovascular system is effectively meeting the oxygen requirements of the working muscles.

The reason the 2-3 minute timeframe is significant is that it allows enough time for physiological adaptations to occur, such as improved cardiac output and increased stroke volume, which help stabilize the heart rate. If the physical activity continues at a constant intensity, the heart rate will stabilize, indicating that the body has effectively adapted to the exercise demands.

In contrast, the other timeframes are either too short to allow for this steady-state achievement or too long, as most individuals will typically reach a plateau more quickly than those durations suggest.