Changes In Blood Flow Volume After Three Different Recovery Strategies After Intense Running

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine and compare the effects of recovery methods on blood flow volume, blood lactate concentration, and rated perceived exertion (RPE) after intense running. METHODS: Sixteen healthy young males (172.8 cm, 72 kg) performed a treadmill run (7.5 km/h for 5-min then, 8.5 km/h for 25-min at a 1% incline) on three separate sessions. Subjects then randomly performed three different 30-min recovery methods each session. (1) Knee joint cooling: an ice bag was applied to the knee joint. (2) Active recovery: subjects walked at a self-selected speed for 10-min then performed 20-sec hold bilateral static stretching (10-sec was allowed for changing limbs) on the lower-extremity muscles. After stretching quadriceps and hip adductors, subjects performed 3-min of two-legged elevation (their hip against the wall with their knee fully extended). (3) Passive recovery: subjects remained seated on a treatment table. Blood flow volume was assessed using Doppler ultrasonography (frequency: 3-12 MHz) at the posterior tibial artery. Blood lactate concentration (sampled from fingertips) and RPE using Borg’s 6-20-point scale were also obtained before (baseline) and after the run (post-0, -10 -30, -45 and -60). Two-way ANOVAs and Tukey tests (p<0.05) with Cohen’s d effects sizes (d) were performed. RESULTS: Blood flow volume among the conditions was different over time (F10,225=3.18, p=0.0008). Specifically, it increased after running (blood flow volume: >243%, p<0.0001). Ten-minutes after, subjects with the active recovery showed a higher blood flow volume (38.8 ml/min) compared with knee joint cooling (21.3 ml/min, p=0.03, d=1.05). Blood lactate concentration (F10,225=0.37, p=0.96) and RPE (F10,225=0.19, p=0.99) did not differ among the three conditions over time. Regardless of condition (time effect: F5,225>47.27, p<0.0001), blood lactate concentration (p<0.0001, d > 0.79) and RPE (p < 0.0001, d > 2.69) was increased after running and returned to the baseline values 30-min after running (blood lactate concentration: p>0.80, d>0.12; RPE: p>0.81, d>0.68). CONCLUSIONS: While active recovery (walking with limb elevation and stretching) can increase blood flow volume when compared with knee joint cooling and passive recovery, the physiological and psychological recovery were not different.