[Purpose] The aim of this study was to compare the differences in recovery
periods after maximal concentric and eccentric exercises. [Subjects and Methods]
Twenty-two participants voluntarily participated and were divided into two groups: the
athlete and sedentary groups. An incremental treadmill running test was performed until
exhaustion. During the subsequent passive recovery session, heart rate and venous blood
lactate level were determined every 3 minutes until the venous blood lactate level reached
2 mmol/l. The same test protocol was implemented 15 days later. [Results] Both groups
showed significantly shorter running durations in concentric exercise, while significant
differences were found between the athlete and sedentary groups in terms of venous blood
lactate level responses. In addition, there were significant differences between the
athlete and sedentary groups in terms of running duration and heart rate in concentric and
eccentric exercises. [Conclusion] The present study revealed no difference between the
athlete and sedentary groups in terms of recovery durations after eccentric and concentric
loadings, although the athletes demonstrated faster recovery in terms of HR compared with
the sedentary group. It was thought that concentric exercises cause greater physiological
responses.