We investigated ventilation (V(.)E) control factors during recovery from light impulse-like exercise (100 watts) with a duration of 20 s. Blood ions and gases were measured at rest and during recovery. V(.)E, end tidal CO(2) pressure (PETCO(2)) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured continuously during rest, exercise and recovery periods. Arterial CO(2) pressure (PaCO(2) (pre) was estimated from PETCO(2) and tidal volume (V(T)). RER at 20 s of exercise and until 50 s during recovery was significantly lower than RER at rest. Despite no change in arterialized blood pH level, PaCO(2) (pre) was significantly higher in the last 10 s of exercise and until 70 s during recovery than the resting value. V(.)E increased during exercise and then decreased during recovery; however, it was elevated and was significantly higher than the resting value until 155 s (p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between V(.)E and PaCO(2) (pre) during the first 70 s of recovery in each subject. The results suggest that PaCO(2) drives V(.)E during the first 70 s of recovery after light impulse-like exercise. Elevated V(.)E in the interval from 70 s until 155 s during recovery might be due to neural factors.