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Int J Sports Med 2004; 25(2): 109-114
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-819954
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Active vs. Passive Recovery on Work Performed During Serial Supramaximal Exercise Tests

D.  K.  Spierer1, 2 , R.  Goldsmith1 , D. A.  Baran1, 3 , K.  Hryniewicz1 , S.  D.  Katz1, 4
  • 1Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, NY, USA
  • 2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Coler Goldwater Specialty Hospital &Nursing Facility, NY, USA (DKS)
  • 3Department of Heart Failure and Transplant Research, Newark Beth Israel, Medical Center, Newark NY, USA
  • 4Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Medical Center, Storrs, CT, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: July 10, 2003

Publication Date:
26 February 2004 (online)

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Abstract

The current investigation was undertaken to determine the effects of active versus passive recovery on work performance during repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise. Six healthy sedentary subjects and 9 moderately trained healthy hockey players performed serial 30-second Wingate anaerobic power tests (WAnT) on a bicycle ergometer interposed with 4 minutes of active recovery at a work rate corresponding to 28 % of V·O2max or passive recovery at rest. Peak power, mean power, total work achieved, and fatigue index were calculated for the serial WAnT. Capillary blood lactate was determined at 5-minute intervals after the last WAnT during 30 minutes of active or passive recovery. Mean power was significantly greater during active recovery in sedentary subjects when compared with passive recovery (388 ± 42 vs. 303 ± 37 W, p < 0.05), but did not differ according to recovery mode in moderately trained hockey players (589 ± 22 W active vs. 563 ± 26 W passive, p = 0.14). Total work achieved significantly increased during active when compared with passive recovery in sedentary subjects (34 890 ± 3768 vs. 27 260 ± 3364 J, p < 0.02) and moderately trained hockey players (86 763 ± 9151 vs. 75 357 ± 8281 J, p < 0.05). Capillary blood lactate levels did not differ during active when compared with passive recovery in sedentary subjects but were significantly lower during active when compared with passive recovery in moderately trained hockey players. These data demonstrate that active recovery at a work rate corresponding to 28 % of V·O2max increases total work achieved during repeated WAnT when compared with passive recovery in sedentary subjects and moderately trained hockey players.

Key words

Wingate anaerobic power test - exercise performance - lactate

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D. K. Spierer

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine · Coler Goldwater Memorial Hospital

900 Main St. · Roosevelt Island · NY 10044 · USA

Email: spiererd@yahoo.com