Effects of Active vs. Passive Recovery on Work Performed During ...

Effects of Active vs. Passive Recovery on Work Performed During Serial Supramaximal Exercise Tests

The current investigation was undertaken to determine the effects of active versus passive recovery on work performance during repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise. Six healthy sedentary subjects and 9 moderately trained healthy hockey players performed serial 30-second Wingate anaerobic power tests (WAnT) on a bicycle ergometer interposed with 4 minutes of active recovery at a work rate corresponding to 28 % of VÇO2max or passive recovery at rest. Peak power, mean power, total work achieved, and fatigue index were calculated for the serial WAnT. Capillary blood lactate was determined at 5-minute intervals after the last WAnT during 30 minutes of active or passive recovery. Mean power was significantly greater during active recovery in sedentary subjects when compared with passive recovery (388 42 vs. 303 37 W, p < 0.05), but did not differ according to recovery mode in moderately trained hockey players

Introduction Active recovery (continued submaximal work during recovery after exercise) increases exercise performance and decreases blood lactate levels during repeated bouts of moderate and high intensity exercise when compared with passive recovery at rest [1, 2, 5, 9,11,12,18, 20]. Application of active recovery could potentially enhance performance in sports activities characterized by repeated bouts of high intensity exercise such as ice hockey. However, the effects of active recovery on work performance during repeated bouts of supramaximal anerobic exercise at time intervals relevant to shifts during ice hockey game conditions have not been previously reported.

(589 22 W active vs. 563 26 W passive, p = 0.14). Total work achieved significantly increased during active when compared with passive recovery in sedentary subjects (34 890 3768 vs. 27 260 3364 J, p < 0.02) and moderately trained hockey players (86 763 9151 vs. 75 357 8281 J, p < 0.05). Capillary blood lactate levels did not differ during active when compared with passive recovery in sedentary subjects but were significantly lower during active when compared with passive recovery in moderately trained hockey players. These data demonstrate that active recovery at a work rate corresponding to 28 % of VÇO2max increases total work achieved during repeated WAnT when compared with passive recovery in sedentary subjects and moderately trained hockey players.

Training & Testing

Abstract

Key words Wingate anaerobic power test ´ exercise performance ´ lactate

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The Wingate anaerobic power test (WAnT) is a previously validated test of anaerobic fitness that consists of 30 seconds of pedaling on a cycle ergometer at a maximal speed against a constant force [13]. The force is predetermined to yield a supramaximal mechanical anerobic power (usually equivalent to two to four times that associated with the maximal aerobic power), and to induce development of fatigue (drop in mechanical power) within the first few seconds of activity. These test conditions may be relevant to performance in sports activities characterized by repeated short-term high-intensity exercise such as ice hockey, as the test replicates fatigue curves generated with anaerobic skating tests in ice hockey players [8].

Affiliation Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, NY, USA 2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Coler Goldwater Specialty Hospital &Nursing Facility, NY, USA (DKS) 3 Department of Heart Failure and Transplant Research, Newark Beth Israel, Medical Center, Newark NY, USA 4 Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Medical Center, Storrs, CT, USA 1

Correspondence D. K. Spierer ´ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine ´ Coler Goldwater Memorial Hospital ´ 900 Main St. ´ Roosevelt Island ´ NY 10044 ´ USA ´ E-Mail: [email protected] Accepted after revision: July 10, 2003 Bibliography Int J Sports Med 2004; 25: 109±114 Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ´ New York ´ ISSN 0172-4622

Downloaded by: Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Copyrighted material.

D. K. Spierer1,2 R. Goldsmith1 D. A. Baran1,3 K. Hryniewicz1 S. D. Katz1,4

Material and Methods

Training & Testing 110

Study population Two groups of healthy subjects were studied. Six sedentary subjects with no routine exercise regimen, and nine moderatelytrained ice hockey players averaging three weekly practice sessions participated in this investigation. Candidates were eligible if they were normotensive non-smokers with no history of chronic illness or medication use, and had a normal resting and exercise electrocardiogram. Subjects were informed of the nature of the study and the testing procedures before the commencement of any tests. Prior to participation, subjects signed a consent form in accordance with the most recent guidelines of American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the Institutional Review Board at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Maximal aerobic capacity test Maximal aerobic capacity (VÇO2max) was determined in ml kg±1 min±1 during graded cycle ergometry (ramp protocol of 25 W min±1) with a Sensormedics 2900 metabolic cart (Yorbalinda, CA) with 15-second averages of breath-by-breath data. The test was terminated when the subject could no longer continue pedaling or when the respiratory exchange ratio (VÇCO2/VÇO2) exceeded 1.10 according to ACSM Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription [10]. Peak aerobic capacity was defined as the highest oxygen consumption during the last minute of exercise. Based on previous reports, and preliminary work in our laboratory, the active recovery workload was selected to correspond to 28 % of VÇO2max [1 ± 3, 9]. Wingate anaerobic power test The WAnT is a previously validated test of anaerobic fitness [13]. This 30-second supramaximal effort cycle ergometry test, when performed against resistance adjusted for body weight and fitness level, allows for objective measurement of shortterm supramaximal performance. All WAnT(s) were performed on a Monark 818 E cycle ergometer (Varberg, Sweden) with electronic monitoring of pedaling cadence (rev min±1). Before each test, the height of the cycle ergometer seat was adjusted to a comfortable level, equal to the height of the iliac crest, allowing for a slight bend in the leg at the lowest position of the pedal. Before each test the cycle ergometer was calibrated per manufacturer specifications. The zero calibration was determined on a level surface with the tension belt slackened. After adjusting the zero point, a 5 kg weight was attached at the level of the balancing spring and the pendulum position was adjusted as necessary. Each subject performed a 5-minute warmup including 8-second sprints at the end of the first, second and third minute. Each 8-second sprint consisted of pedaling at the fastest tolerable cadence to acclimate to testing conditions. Before the start of each serial WAnT, subjects pedaled

for 10 seconds at their maximum tolerated cadence against light resistance before the preset workload (body mass [kg] 0.075) for sedentary subjects or workload (body mass [kg] 0.098) for trained subjects expressed in kiloponds (kp) was implemented for 30 seconds. Subjects received stereotyped verbal instructions to maintain a maximal cadence throughout the entire 30 seconds. Peak power, mean power, total work achieved, and fatigue index were calculated from each series of WAnT as described below. If the subject could not complete the thirty-second effort, the incomplete test was not included in the final calculations of mean power, total work achieved and fatigue index. Systemic hemodynamics Heart rate and blood pressure were continuously monitored during active and passive recovery periods and for 30 minutes postexercise. Heart rates were determined from electrocardiograph tracings at 1-minute intervals. Blood pressures were measured manually by the cuff method at 2-minute intervals during exercise recovery, immediately post-exercise and at 2-minute intervals for 30 minutes during recovery. Capillary blood lactate measurements Capillary blood lactate concentrations were determined in mmol l±1 by a fingerstick method. Blood was drawn with a sterile spring-loaded lancet, collected in a disposable capillary tube, and dropped onto a lactate sensitive strip. The blood lactate was determined in a calibrated lactate analyzer (Accusport, Hawthorne, NY) at rest, immediately after completion of the last of the serial complete or incomplete WAnT, and at 5 minute intervals for 30 minutes after completion of the last complete or incomplete WAnT. Study protocol This was a prospective crossover study comparing the effects of active vs. passive recovery on performance during repeated WAnT. All subjects performed exercise on three separate days over a 3-week time frame. Study procedures on day one (screening) consisted of obtaining written informed consent, reviewing entry criteria, acclimating the subjects to the laboratory and study procedures, and baseline assessments of maximal aerobic capacity and anaerobic power. Procedures on study days two and three were identical except for randomly assigned recovery mode and consisted of a brief warm-up period, repeated 30-second WAnT separated by four minutes of either passive or active recovery (cycle ergometry at a work rate corresponding to 28 % VÇO2max). The supramaximal exercise bouts were repeated on study days two and three until the peak power was reduced to £ 70 % of the first bout or the subjects was unable to continue. The order of recovery mode (passive vs. active recovery) on study days two and three was randomly assigned. Data analysis During the WAnT, the force in Newton was expressed as (kp 10). Distance was calculated as one pedal revolution corresponding to 6 metres on the flywheel. Peak and mean power for all bouts, total work achieved over all bouts, and fatigue index were calculated for each series of Wingate tests as follows:

Spierer DK et al. Active Recovery and Supramaximal Exercise ¼ Int J Sports Med 2004; 25: 109 ± 114


The current investigation was undertaken to determine the effects of active recovery versus passive recovery on supramaximal exercise performance during repeated WAnT in sedentary normal subjects and moderately-trained hockey players. We hypothesized that active recovery between repeated bouts of short-term high intensity activity would increase work performed when compared to passive recovery.

Table 1

Age (y)

Mean Power (W) = {S (force (kp 10) # RPM 6 metres/30 seconds)}/# of bouts Total work achieved (J) = S force (kp 10) # RPM 6 metres over all bouts Fatigue index/bout (%) = {(max power±min power)/max power 100}/# of bouts

Results Subjects characteristics Descriptive characteristics of both groups of subjects are provided in Table 1. Sedentary subjects were significantly older than moderately trained ice hockey players. Gender distribution was different between the groups, as no female ice hockey players were studied (p < 0.05 by chi-square analysis). Consistent with the difference in gender distribution, mean height and body mass in the moderately trained ice hockey players were significantly greater than sedentary subjects. Maximal oxygen consumption differed significantly between the groups in a manner consistent with the reported level of fitness. Exercise performance In accord with the WAnT protocol guidelines, assigned supramaximal work rate was greater in ice hockey players (8.0 0.3 kp) when compared with sedentary subjects (5.0 0.3 kp). The number of bouts during active and passive recovery did not change in sedentary subjects, and increased by 1 bout during active recovery in 3 of the moderately trained ice hockey players. Peak power (Fig. 1) did not significantly differ according to recovery mode in sedentary subjects (412 45 W active vs. 348 42 W passive, p = 0.10) or moderately trained ice hockey players (693 34 W active vs. 680 33 W passive, p = 0.57). Mean power (Fig. 1) was significantly greater during active recovery in sedentary subjects when compared with passive recovery (388 42 vs. 303 37 W, p < 0.05), but did not differ according to recovery mode in moderately trained ice hockey play-

Gender

Height (cm)

Mass (kg)

VÇO2max (ml/kg/min)

Sedentary subjects 1

32

M

180

76

39.3

2

34

F

157

56

37.4

3

28

F

165

73

30.1

4

34

M

160

75

28.5

5

30

F

165

50

42.0

6

31

M

170

72

44.1

166 8

67 11

36.9 6.3

32 1

Moderately trained ice hockey players 1

26

M

173

73

42.6

2

29

M

178

82

44.4

3

23

M

183

95

47.4

4

20

M

185

80

42.3

5

20

M

180

68

46.2

6

20

M

175

93

39.3

7

21

M

191

98

44.7

8

18

M

175

70

55.6

9

23

M

175

77

47.5

180 6*

82 11*

45.6 4.6*

22 1*

Training & Testing

The work done during active recovery was not included in the calculation of total work achieved. All values are expressed in means SEM. Peak and mean power, number of bouts, total work achieved, fatigue index, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, and blood lactate were recorded for each recovery mode in sedentary subjects and moderately trained hockey players. Comparisons between active and passive recovery were made with repeated measure ANOVA models with one between group variable (sedentary vs. ice hockey players) and two within group variables (recovery mode, time). For a paired t-test analysis, a sample size of 6 subjects provided > 80 % power to detect a 15 % change in total work achieved during active when compared with passive recovery (a magnitude of change potentially relevant to competitive sports applications) assuming an anticipated total work of 40 000 4000 J during passive recovery. For all statistical inference tests, a two-tailed p value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Characteristics of study population

ÇO2max = maximum oxygen consumption; * denotes p < 0.05 vs. sedentary V subjects.

ers (589 22 W active vs. 563 26 W passive, p = 0.14). Total work achieved (Fig. 1) significantly increased during active when compared with passive recovery in sedentary subjects (34 890 3768 vs. 27260 3364 J, p < 0.02) and moderately trained ice hockey players (86 763 9151 vs. 75 357 8281 J, p < 0.05). Fatigue index/bout (Fig. 1) was significantly decreased during active compared with passive recovery in sedentary subjects (3.1 0.8 vs. 8.9 1.7 %, p = 0.025) but did not differ according to recovery mode in moderately trained ice hockey players (6.1 1.1 % active vs. 7.3 0.9 % passive, p = 0.21). Mean number of bouts, peak power, mean power and total work achieved were significantly greater in moderately trained ice hockey players when compared with sedentary subjects during both passive and active recovery (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Exercise hemodynamics Heart rate at rest and at peak exercise after the last bout of serial WAnT did not differ during active and passive recovery in sedentary subjects (77 4 to 173 5 min±1 active vs. 72 3 to 177 5 min±1 passive) or moderately trained ice hockey players (67 4 to 187 2 min±1 active vs. 69 4 to 188 2 min±1 passive). Peak heart rate after the last bout of serial WAnT was significantly higher in moderately trained ice hockey players when compared with sedentary subjects (p < 0.02). Mean arterial pressure at rest and at peak exercise after the last bout of serial WAnT did not differ during active and passive recovery in sedentary subjects (82 4 to 105 3 mmHg active vs. 81 3 to109 2 mmHg passive) or moderately trained ice hockey players (90 3 to 105 1 mmHg active vs. 83 3 to 104 2 mmHg passive).


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Peak Power (W) = Peak RPM force (kp 10) 6 metres/5 second period on the cycle

Training & Testing 112 Capillary blood lactate levels Capillary blood lactate data at rest and at peak exercise after the last bout of serial WAnT did not differ during active and passive recoveries in sedentary subjects (4.0 0.3 to 16.6 1.2 mmol l±1 active vs. 3.5 0.3 to 17.8 1.1 mmol l±1 passive) or moderately trained ice hockey players (2.0 0.3 to 14.8 0.9 mmol l±1 active vs. 1.6 0.1 to 15.5 0.9 mmol l±1 passive). Capillary blood lactate data were significantly lower in moderately trained ice hockey players when compared with sedentary subjects at rest and at peak exercise after the last bout of serial WAnT (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Over 30 minutes after completion of the last bout of exercise, capillary blood lactate data did not differ during active compared with passive recovery in sedentary subjects (Fig. 2, panel A), but were significantly lower during active compared with passive recovery in moderately trained ice hockey players (Fig. 2, panel B).

Discussion These data demonstrate that active recovery at a work rate corresponding to 28 % of maximum oxygen uptake increases total work achieved during repeated Wingate anaerobic power tests when compared with passive recovery in sedentary subjects and moderately trained ice hockey players.

The effects of active recovery on lactate removal and muscle performance under different exercise conditions have been previously reported [1, 2, 5, 9,11,12,18, 20, 24, 29]. Weltman et al. studied performance after a 1-minute all-out cycle ergometry effort (5.5 kg resistance), followed by either 20 minutes of active recovery (1.0 kg at 60 rev min±1) or a rest period [29]. Active recovery produced higher pedal revolutions in repeated bouts, accompanied by increased lactate removal rates, similar to those reported in previous studies of normal subjects [9, 20, 27]. When compared with the current study protocol, Weltman's recovery period was longer in duration and consisted of only one repeated supramaximal bout. Signorile et al. examined the effect of active recovery on cycle ergometry performance after eight 6-second supramaximal efforts separated by 30-second periods of active recovery or rest [24]. Active recovery increased peak power and total work achieved when compared with passive recovery. Active recovery was also reported to be associated with increased anaerobic power when compared with passive recovery in an exercise protocol of serial graded bouts of 6 seconds of supramaximal cycle exercise separated by 5 minutes of recovery [1]. The results of the current investigation are in agreement with these previous studies. The current investigation is the first to explore whether active recovery at 28 % VÇO2max confers comparable benefits on exercise performance between repeated bouts of



Fig. 1 MeanSEM data for peak power (W), mean power (W), total work achieved (J), and Fatigue Index/bout (%) in 6 sedentary subjects and 9 moderately trained ice hockey players over repeated bouts of Wingate anaerobic power exercise tests with active recovery (black bars) or passive recovery (white bars). *indicates p < 0.05 vs. passive recovery.

supramaximal exercise with exercise and recovery times potentially relevant to the timing sequence of shift changes in ice hockey game conditions. In addition, this is the first report to investigate the comparative effects of active recovery in moderately trained ice hockey players and untrained subjects. Blood lactic acid concentrations after maximal work are the result of a complex relationship among regulatory systems which control lactate production, transport and degradation [25]. Factors to be considered include the rate of lactic acid efflux from skeletal muscle, tissue blood flow and lactic acid uptake by the heart, active and inactive skeletal muscle, and liver [14,15, 22, 23]. A possible explanation of our findings during repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise is that a high rate of muscle blood flow during active recovery increases translocation of lactic acid from the muscle to the blood. An earlier and greater peak concentration in the blood lactate increases lactic acid uptake and metabolism in non-exercising tissues since the rate of blood lactic acid disappearance is directly related to the blood concentration of lactic acid [20]. Since physical training increases lactate utilization in exercising and non-exercising tissues, the reduction in capillary blood lactate during active recovery ob-

Potential Sports Applications A regulation ice hockey game is 60 minutes, comprised of three 20-minute periods with a 15-minute rest interval after the first 2 periods [19]. Typically, a player will perform numerous ªshiftsº or substitutions throughout the game, each lasting 30 to 90 seconds and separated by a period of 3 ± 4 minutes of rest [8]. The duration of each shift and rest period depends upon the intensity of the game, the player's fitness level, and the player's skill level. During a game, ice hockey players rely on the ability


113


Fig. 2 Mean SEM capillary blood lactate data (mmol l±1) at peak and over 30 minutes after last bout of serial Wingate anaerobic power exercise tests with active recovery (filled circles) and passive recovery (open circles) in 6 sedentary subjects (A) and 9 moderately trained ice hockey players (B).

Interpretation of the current findings is limited by several considerations. The optimal level of the active recovery work rate could not be determined from our study design. Twenty-eight percent of VÇO2max as an active recovery work rate was selected based on previous reports from related studies and preliminary observations in our laboratory in which unloaded cycling during active recovery at approximately 15 %±20 % VÇO2max was not associated with improved work performance. Additional studies are needed to determine the optimal work rate during active recovery after supramaximal exercise. Although the current study protocol was designed to approximate the time sequence of ice hockey shifts, our findings in bicycle ergometry performance under indoor experimental conditions may not be directly translated to ice skating performance in game situations. In 2 studies of on-ice skating assessments, active recovery in the form of 15 minutes of bench stepping or light cycling reportedly improved lactate clearance but did not improve on-ice exercise performance during repeated 40 ± 45 second timed skating trials separated by 90 seconds of rest when compared with passive recovery [17, 27]. These discordant findings may be related to the duration and intensity of active recovery utilized in these studies. Since capillary blood lactate was measured only after the last WAnT, our study cannot determine the effects of recovery mode on lactate data during serial supramaximal bouts of exercise. We did not calculate the effects of flywheel inertia and therefore may have underestimated the actual power and total work achieved by our subjects. Unequal gender distribution in our study population is another possible confounding factor which limits interpretation of our findings. Although the number of subjects was small, we did not find any evidence of a significant gender by recovery mode interaction effect. Incomplete WAnT of < 30 seconds of effort were not included in the analysis of total work achieved and may have influenced our findings for the effects of recovery mode on blood lactate and hemodynamic data.

Training & Testing

served in moderately trained ice hockey players but not sedentary subjects is consistent with this interpretation. Other mechanisms must also be considered, since our findings demonstrate that active recovery increased work performed in sedentary subjects without changes in capillary blood lactate data. A dissociation between blood lactate data and work performed has been previously reported [4, 26, 28]. An effect of recovery mode on muscle glycogen is unlikely due to the short time course of recovery and previous investigations which demonstrated that active recovery does not increase muscle glycogen stores when compared with passive recovery [6, 7, 21]. Rapid correction of intracellular acidosis and replenishment of phosphocreatine by mechanisms independent of lactate transport during active recovery is another potential explanation of our findings [16, 30].

Training & Testing

Active recovery may also have applications in other sports that require repeated anaerobic efforts such as football and basketball. Additional studies are needed to determine the optimal regimen of active recovery to enhance performance during shortterm high intensity bouts in the game of ice hockey, and other sports and work applications that require comparable efforts.

Acknowledgements We want to thank all of our participants. We would also like to thank the management at the Palisades Ice Center and Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center for the use of their premises. This research was funded by the American College of Sports Medicine in conjunction with Reebok University under the Doctoral Student Grant Initiative for Athletic Performance and Injury prevention.

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to produce great amounts of power and work during repeated bouts of anaerobic activity [8,19]. Since the increment in work achieved with active recovery was comparable in sedentary subjects and moderately trained ice hockey players, our findings suggest that application of active recovery between high-intensity bouts of exercise may benefit untrained and moderately trained populations.