Is maximal lactate steady state during intermittent cycling different for active compared with passive recovery?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of recovery type (passive vs. active) during prolonged intermittent exercises on the blood lactate concentration (MLSS) and work rate (MLSS(wint)) at maximal lactate steady state. Nineteen male trained cyclists were divided into 2 groups for the determination of MLSS(wint) using passive (maximal oxygen uptake = 58.1 ± 3.5 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1); N = 9) or active recovery (maximal oxygen uptake = 60.3 ± 9.0 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1); N = 10). They performed the following tests, on different days, on a cycle ergometer: (i) incremental test until exhaustion to determine maximal oxygen uptake; (ii) 2 to 3 continuous submaximal constant work rate tests (CWRT) for the determination of the work rate at continuous maximal lactate steady state (MLSS(wcont)); and (iii) 2 to 3 intermittent submaximal CWRT (7 × 4 min and 1 × 2 min, with 2-min recovery) with either passive or active recovery for the determination of MLSS(wint). MLSS(wint) was significantly higher when compared with MLSS(wcont) for both passive recovery (294.7 ± 32.2 vs. 258.7 ± 24.5 W, respectively) and active recovery groups (300.5 ± 23.9 vs. 273.2 ± 21.5 W, respectively). The percentage increments in MLSS(wint) were similar between conditions (passive = 13% vs. active = 10%). MLSS (mmol·L(-1)) was not significantly different between MLSS(wcont) and MLSS(wint) for either passive recovery (4.50 ± 2.10 vs. 5.61 ± 1.78, respectively) and active recovery (4.06 ± 1.49 vs. 4.91 ± 1.91, respectively) conditions. We can conclude that using a work/rest ratio of 2:1, MLSS(wint) was ∼10%-13% higher than MLSS(wcont), irrespective of the recovery type performed during prolonged intermittent exercises.

Effect of Active Versus Passive Recovery on Performance During Intrameet Swimming Competition

“…Our data differ, which could be due to the low number of participants in both studies or the different types of exercises used. Greco et al 7 studied types of active and passive recuperation in prolonged, intermittent exercises, observing no differences between them.…”

“…The clearance of blood lactate has been the subject of numerous studies. 1,2,7,9 Recuperation exercises based on an athlete's rhythm have been more effective at purification than passive recuperation. 2 The dichotomy of active versus passive recuperation is worthy of debate.…”

Estimation of Maximal Lactate Steady State Using the Sweat Lactate Sensor

“…An electromagnetically-braked ergometer was used during the exercise to determine MLSS 1 . At least 24 hours were allowed between each test (mean: 7.0 ± 2.9 days) 2 . During constant-load exercise, an exhaled gas analyzer, HR monitor, and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitor (NIRO-200NX; Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Hamamatsu, Japan) were attached.…”

Estimation of maximal lactate steady state using the sweat lactate sensor

“…Above the MLSS intensity, blood lactate shows an identifiable increase during constant-workload exercise, with a concomitant decrease in oxygen saturation in the vastus lateralis in the thigh 3 . MLSS has been utilized as a measure of training intensity in endurance sports, such as track and field 4 , cycling 5 , and swimming 6 , 7 . MLSS assessment requires several constant submaximal load tests performed on separate days and frequent blood lactate measurements during exercise, which are complicated and physically strenuous for the participants 8 .…”