In order to describe the kinetics of the reaction of the heart rate (HR) to the onset of exercise of constant intensity, the half-time (t1/2) of HR can be used. First in a study of exercise of intensity corresponding to 2 W kg-1 on a cycle ergometer, the t1/2 in 15 trained male rowers and 11 untrained male students was determined. In the trained subjects t1/2 was smaller than in untrained students, mean (+/- S.D.) values being 24.10 (+/- 3.36) s and 47.12 (+/- 4.08) s respectively. In both groups t1/2 was positively correlated with resting HR, r = 0.774 and 0.846 and negatively correlated with maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), r = -0.728 and -0.871 respectively (P less than 0.01). The regulation of HR in the transition range was concluded to be very similar to the regulation of VO2 and energy requirements. The second part of this work was concerned with responses to graded exercise. The linearity of the HR-exercise intensity relationship is maintained up to a submaximal exercise intensity beyond which the increase in exercise intensity exceeds the increase in HR. It was hypothesized that the point where HR departs from linearity in an incremental exercise test may be employed as a predictor of the ventilatory threshold (Tvent). To examine this, 28 trained male long-distance runners were tested on a treadmill and 17 untrained young male subjects were tested on a cycle ergometer using a continuous incremental protocol. The Tvent was determined from the dependence of VE on VO2 and/or VCO2. The VO2, HR and exercise intensity at Tvent were compared with the same parameters determined from the dependence of HR on exercise intensity. No significant differences were found between Tvent and HR break point levels. It was concluded from this second study that the HR break point level coincides with Tvent.