Effects of immediate post-exercise recovery after a high intensity exercise on subsequent cycling performance

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the comparative effect of compression sleeves, rest and active recovery on performance and immediate recovery from high-intensity cycling performance (HICP). Eight recreationally trained male cyclists completed three trials, each separated by one week. Each trial consisted of two 10-min high intensity exercise task (30-20-10 s maximal HICP bouts with 3 min 1 W/kg recovery) separated by application one of the three 24-min recovery strategies (active – cycling 1W/kg, ACT; passive – supine position, PAS; passive – sitting with compression sleeves; PAS+CS). Applied recovery strategy effectiveness was assessed via changes in blood lactate clearance (LA), acid-base changes and performance parameters (fatigue index, FI; peak power, PP and relative peak power). Fatigue index was significantly improved by ACT for 30s and 20s HICP. There was a significant decrease in FI for PAS + CS (p = 0.041) and PAS (p = 0.026) showing a negative impact of PAS + CS and PAS for keeping PP during 10s task. The rate of decrease in plasma LA concentration over the 24-min recovery period was significantly higher in ACT (0.50 ± 0.1 mmol/min) compared to PAS and PAS+CS (0.31 ± 0.07 mmol/l, p = 0.001, 0.37 ± 0.09 mmol/min, p = 0.024, respectively). The passive recovery strategies decreased the ability of keeping repeated maximal intensity cycling performance in contrast to active recovery. The use of compression calf sleeves has no significant additional effect on plasma lactate clearance after high intensity anaerobic exercise above resting condition.