Blood lactate concentration and rated perceived exertion following active recovery in water

Abstract

This investigation examined the effects of active water recovery (AWR) on blood lactate removal and perception of recovery following bouts of high intensity exercise. Six college‐aged males performed 3 × 45 s bouts of supramaximal treadmill sprinting (110% VO₂max) followed by 20 min of passive recovery (PR), active treadmill recovery (ATR) or AWR. Subjects performed active recovery exercise at 29 ± 1.5% VO₂max. Blood samples were collected immediately prior to exercise, 3 min following the final bout of supramaximal exercise and then every 2 min throughout recovery. Rating of perception of recovery was recorded immediately following ATR and AWR. Blood lactate was significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) during AWR compared to PR beginning at 8 min of recovery and remained at a significantly reduced level throughout recovery. Similarly, blood lactate was lower during ATR compared with PR from 12 min of recovery until completion of the recovery session. Rating of perception of recovery was significantly lower following AWR (9.5 ±0.5 Borg Units) when compared with ATR (11.2 ±0.7 Borg Units). These results suggest that ATR and AWR are equally effective in enhancing blood lactate removal. However, AWR may provide a greater perception of recovery following high intensity, short duration exercise.