What is the normal breathing rate after exercise?

A normal resting breathing rate is 15 breaths per minute. Intense exercise may increase the breathing rate up to 40 or 50 breaths per minute. The respiration rate may remain faster and deeper than normal for up to 40 minutes after the exercise ends.

Exercise to improve aerobic fitness elevates the respiration rate but not as high as more intense exercises. After a typical aerobic fitness workout, the respiration rate returns to normal within 10 minutes. High-intensity, short-duration exercises, such as strength, power or speed training, have only a minimal impact on the breathing rate, as those exercises are not aerobic.