Abstract
In view of the growing amount of (intense) training in competitive sports, quick
recovery plays a superior role in performance restoration. The aim of the
present study was to compare the effects of active versus passive
recovery during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval
training (SIT) protocols on acute alterations of circulating blood cells. Twelve
male triathletes/cyclists performed 1) a HIIT consisting of
4×4 min intervals, 2) a SIT consisting of 4×30s
intervals, separated by either active or passive recovery. Blood samples were
collected immediately before and at 0’, 30’, 60’ and
180’ (minutes) post-exercise. Outcomes comprised leukocytes,
lymphocytes, neutrophils, mixed cell count, platelets, cellular inflammation
markers (neutrophil/lymphocyte-ratio (NLR),
platelet/lymphocyte-ratio (PLR)), and the systemic immune-inflammation
index (SII). In view of HIIT, passive recovery attenuated the changes in
lymphocytes and neutrophils compared to active recovery. In view of SIT, active
recovery attenuated the increase in leukocytes, lymphocytes and absolute mixed
cell count compared to passive recovery. Both protocols, independent of
recovery, significantly increased NLR, PLR and SII up to 3h of recovery compared
to pre-exercise values. The mode of recovery influences short-term alterations
in the circulating fraction of leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils and the
mixed cell count, which might be associated with different hormonal and
metabolic stress responses due to the mode of recovery.
Keywords
blood cell count - cellular inflammation markers - systemic immune-inflammation-index - high-intensity training - leukocytes