Active Vs. Passive Recovery from Short-Term Supramaximal Exercise

Abstract

The relative merits of active (zero-load cycling, 50 rpm) vs. passive (quiet sitting) recovery was studied in 14 male subjects following supramaximal exercise (34 kp · rev⁻¹) of short duration (60 seconds). Analyses of the exercise data revealed no statistical differences between 6-second by 6-second or cumulative work-output and oxygen uptake for the two criterion exercise tasks, thereby justifying comparison of the recovery data. Analyses of the gross [Vdot]O₂ and HR recovery data for the active and passive conditions revealed statistically significant differences, with the active recovery scores being greater, but the magnitude of these differences between conditions was attributable solely to the ‘cost’ of the extra work of the active recovery.