Low Intensity of Running Favors for Anabolic Response after Resistance Exercise

Abstract

Whether active or passive recovery after resistance exercise may affect anabolic and catabolic response is not clear. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of active (moderate or low intensity running) and passive (rest) recovery after resistance exercise on testosterone, cortisol and testosterone/cortisol ratio (T/C) responses. METHODS: By counter-balanced design, nine recreationally active males (age: 23.89 ± 0.86 yrs of age; height: 172.89 ± 1.30 cm; weight: 68.37 ± 2.72 kg; VO2max: 56.56 ± 1.70 ml/kg/min) completed three tests including: 65% VO2max running (moderate intensity, RM), 40% VO2max running (low intensity, RL) and passive rest (RR) following 3sets of four resistance exercises (bench press, leg extension, front lat pulldown and leg curl, 12 repetitions at 60%1RM with 2min rest among all sets and exercises). In order to evaluate the systemic anabolic status, plasma testosterone, cortisol and T/C ratio were measured before resistance exercise (baseline), immediately after either active or passive recovery (post), and 30min after recovery (rest). RESULTS: In RM group, T/C was significantly lower (decrease 18.5%, p<0.05) than baseline at rest. In RL group, T/C was significantly higher (increase 79.1% at post and increase 123.2% at rest, p<0.05) than baseline at post and rest, respectively. At rest, the T/C of RL was higher than RM (RM: 0.49 ± 0.12, RL: 1.08 ± 0.19, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Resistance exercise followed by low intensity aerobic exercise is more favorable to enhance anabolic response during post-exercise recovery.