Effects of active recovery between series on performance during an intermittent exercise model in young endurance athletes

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to compare time to exhaustion ( t(lim)) and time spent at a high level of oxygen uptake (V(.)O(2)) during two high-intensity short intermittent exercises (30 s-30 s) realized with or without series. Eleven young endurance-trained athletes [16.6 (0.4) years] took part in three field tests until exhaustion: (1) a maximal graded test to measure their maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) and maximal oxygen uptake (V(.)O(2max)); (2) and (3) two randomized intermittent exercises (30 s at 110% of MAV alternated with 30 s at 50% of MAV): one alternating repetitions non-stop (IE) and another including 4 min recovery every six repetitions (IEs). The mean t(lim) measured during IEs was significantly longer than IE [respectively 960.0 (102.0) s vs 621.8 (56.2) s]. The time spent at V(.)O(2max)( t(V(.)O2max)) and the time spent above 90% of V(.)O(2max)( t(90%V(.)O2max)) did not differ significantly according to the type of exercise: with or without series [respectively t(V(.)O2max) was 158.2 (59.7) s vs 178.0 (56.5) s and t(90%<Vdot>O2max) was 290.4 (84.3) s vs 345.0 (61.6) s] but when expressed as a relative value, t(90%<Vdot>O2max) during IEs was significantly lower than during IE [respectively 36.4 (10.4)% t(lim) vs 58.3 (8.7)% t(lim)]. Despite a significant decrease ( P<0.005) of time to achieve 90% of V(.)O(2max) at the start of each series during IEs [respectively 165.0 (43.1) s for the first series and 82.5 (15.8) s for the second series ( n=6)] the time spent under 90% of V(.)O(2max) limited the t(90%V(.)O2max) during each series. In conclusion, our results showed that intermittent exercise with series does not permit an increase in the time spent at a high level of V(.)O(2); however, the athletes performed more repetitions of short intense exercise.

Influence of recovery mode (passive vs. active) on time spent at maximal oxygen uptake during an intermittent session in young and endurance-trained athletes

“…In a literature review, Midgley and McNaughton (2006) suggested that for high IE (90-105% of _ VO 2max Þ to optimize the time spent at or near _ VO 2max ; and allow an optimal enhancement of _ VO 2max ; the exercise and recovery duration should be between 15 and 30 s. The 30 s/30 s (30sIE), consisting in 30 s high intensity exercise alternated with 30 s active recovery, is commonly practiced by athletes. Å strand et al (1960) and Gorostiaga et al (1991) have shown that a 30sIE realized at 100% of _ VO 2max with a passive recovery, does not allow subjects to elicit _ VO 2max : Earlier studies (Millet et al 2003b;Tardieu-Berger et al 2004) have investigated the 30sIE realized at supra maximal intensity (105 or 110% of _ VO 2max ) with active recovery (50% of _ VO 2max ). These studies showed that adequate combination between exercise and recovery intensities during 30sIE exercises may allow _ VO 2max to be reached but also sustained it [t90 _ VO 2max ¼ 338 s (Millet et al 2003b); t95 _ VO 2max ¼ 178 s (Tardieu-Berger et al 2004)].…”

“…Å strand et al (1960) and Gorostiaga et al (1991) have shown that a 30sIE realized at 100% of _ VO 2max with a passive recovery, does not allow subjects to elicit _ VO 2max : Earlier studies (Millet et al 2003b;Tardieu-Berger et al 2004) have investigated the 30sIE realized at supra maximal intensity (105 or 110% of _ VO 2max ) with active recovery (50% of _ VO 2max ). These studies showed that adequate combination between exercise and recovery intensities during 30sIE exercises may allow _ VO 2max to be reached but also sustained it [t90 _ VO 2max ¼ 338 s (Millet et al 2003b); t95 _ VO 2max ¼ 178 s (Tardieu-Berger et al 2004)]. In these latter studies, the authors focused on the effects of the intensity exercise on t90 _ VO 2max and t95 _ VO 2max : However, during an IE, recovery intensity also has an effect on t90 _ VO 2max and t95 _ VO 2max : Dupont et al (2003a, b) during a 15sIE intermittent exercise [15 s at 120% of maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) alternated with 15 s recovery] showed that a passive recovery makes it possible to reach _ VO 2max and to increase t lim .…”

“…Therefore, it can be assumed that the percentage of _ VO 2max attained and the time for which it is sustained above 90% (t90 _ VO 2max Þ or 95% of _ VO 2max ðt95 _ VO 2max Þ could serve as a good criterion to judge the effectiveness of the stimulus. Two exercise models could be used to elicit a high percentage of _ VO 2max :or even to reach _ VO 2max : continuous exercises (Hill and Rowell 1997;) as well as intermittent exercises (IE) (Billat et al 2000;Dupont et al 2003a, b;Millet et al 2003a, b;Tardieu-Berger et al 2004;Midgley and Naughton 2006). Intermittent exercises have been reported to allow increased total exercise duration (t lim ) at high intensity (Å strand et al (1960) compared with continuous exercises.…”

Métodos de recuperação pós-exercício: uma revisão sistemática

“…E obtiveram resultados satisfatórios, como melhor amplitude de movimento imediatamente pós-exercício (26) , bem como diminuição de CK (33) . Para Isabell et al (31) , não houve significância estatística para as variáveis estudadas.…”

“…Os objetivos são a redução da dor e edema e a aceleração da remoção de lactato, pelo aumento de fluxo sanguíneo (3,24) . Alguns resultados têm sido observados a partir dos modelos de recuperação descritos, seja com contraste (13,14) , crioterapia (6,15,17) ou massagem (24) , além da própria recuperação ativa (25,26) . Contudo, a falta de padronização para utilização das técnicas e controle das variáveis determina dificuldades para comparação de resultados entre estudos de mesma natureza.…”