EFFECTS OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECOVERY ON LACTATE, RPE, AND PERFORMANCE DURING RESISTANCE TRAINING

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194 The purpose of this experiment was to determine if different recovery conditions alter blood lactate concentration ([La-]), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and performance during a squat workout. Resistance-trained males (n=15) completed 5 testing sessions: a lactate threshold (LT) and maximal aerobic power (VO2max) test on a cycle ergometer; a 10 repetition-maximum (10-RM) test on the squat exercise; and three squat workouts using different recovery conditions. The workouts consisted of: 2 warm-up sets of 10 repetitions at 50% of 10-RM; and 6 sets of 10 repetitions at 85% of 10-RM. Each set was separated by 4 min of recovery. Recovery conditions were randomly assigned from: passive sitting (CONTROL); cycling at 70 rev·min-1 at 25% of LT exercise intensity(25%-LT); and cycling at 70 rev·min-1 at 50% of LT exercise intensity (50%-LT). After the final 4 minrecovery period, a maximal repetition performance (MRP) measure was determined by having each subject perform as many repetitions as possible using 65% of 10-RM. Blood [La-] was determined via fingerstick samples collected: pre-warmup; post 2nd, 4th, 6th and MRP exercise sets; and post 2nd, 4th, and 6th recovery periods. RPE was determined at each blood collection. The MRP measures were CONTROL (24.1±1.8 reps), 25%-LT (29.3±1.8 reps), and 50%-LT (23.1±1.7 reps); with 25%-LT being significantly different from CONTROL and 50%-LT. Blood [La-] prior to the MRP was: CONTROL (7.7±0.7 mmol·L-1), 25%-LT (6.2±0.5 mmol·L-1), and 50%-LT (7.1±0.6 mmol·L-1). The 25%-LT condition was significantly lower than CONTROL and 50%-LT. RPE was significantly lower during testing for the 25%-LT condition compared to the other conditions. Active recovery at 25%-LT proved to be the most effective means of reducing [La-] during repeated sets of squat exercise and increasing performance following following a squat workout.