Effects of Different Types of Active Recoveries after Supramaximal Exercise on Exercise-Induced Stress and Subsequent Anaerobic Power Testing

Abstract

Aim
This study aimed to elucidate the efficacy of active recovery (AR) after supramaximal exercise in six-healthy adult male university students who habitually exercised.
Methods
Prior to this test, the participants underwent the normal walking (W) and Nordic walking (NW) tests to determine their physical strength and intensity levels that will be utilized during their supramaximal exercise test and AR sessions. After 3 min of warm-up exercise, the participants started the main exercise at an intensity of 120 %VO2max. After completing the main exercise, the participants immediately moved to a treadmill and performed 20 min of AR at a speed equivalent to 4 METs, calculated based on the walking tests. To eliminate the order effect of W and NW, the participants were randomly assigned one of the tests. The main exercise I (Ex I) consisted of the same VO2, heart rate (HR), and total work load. After completing the Ex I, the participants immediately performed AR.
Results
No differences were observed between the two groups in terms of VO2max, HR or rate of perceived exertion (RPE) ratings during AR because all the values gradually declined immediately after the exercise. Compared with the W group, the lactic acid (La) level of the NW group during AR was lower than that immediately after the exercise (p<0.05). Because the participants who performed the main exercise II (Ex II) had the same exercise performance as those who performed the Ex I, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the exercise parameters.

Conclusion
This was likely explained by the fact that La produced by the fast fibers of the agonist muscles circulates within the tissues or throughout the entire body and is used by the lactobacillus shuttle in the fibers of the myocardium and slow muscles as an energy substrate during oxidation.