The Effect of Pedal Pump Lymphatic Technique Versus Passive Recovery Following Maximal Exercise: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial

Context Muscle damage and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can occur following intense exercise. Various modalities have been studied to improve blood lactate accumulation, which is a primary reason for DOMS. It has been well established that active recovery facilitates blood lactate removal more rapidly that passive recovery due to the pumping action of the muscle. The pedal pump is a manual lymphatic technique used in osteopathic manipulative medicine to increase lymphatic drainage throughout the body. Pedal pump has been shown to increase lymphatic flow and improve immunity. This may improve circulation and improve clearance of metabolites post-exercise. Objective This study compared the use of pedal pump lymphatic technique to passive supine recovery following maximal exercise. Methods 17 subjects (male n = 10, age 23 ± 3.01; female n = 7, age 24 ± 1.8), performed a maximal volume O2 test (VO2 max) using a Bruce protocol, followed by a recovery protocol using either pedal pump technique or supine passive rest for 10 min, followed by sitting for 10 min. Outcome measures included blood lactate concentration (BL), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and VO2. Subjects returned on another day to repeat the VO2 max test to perform the other recovery protocol. All outcomes were measured at rest, within 1- minute post-peak exercise, and at minutes 4, 7, 10 and 20 of the recovery protocols. A 2 × 6 repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare outcome measures (p ≤ 0.05). Results No significant differences were found in VO2, HR, or SBP between any of the recovery protocols. There was no significant difference in BL concentrations for recovery at minutes 4, 7, or 10 (p > 0.05). However, the pedal pump recovery displayed significantly lower BL concentrations at minute 20 of recovery (p = 0.04). Conclusion The pedal pump significantly decreased blood lactate concentrations following intense exercise at recovery minute 20. The use of manual lymphatic techniques in exercise recovery should be investigated further.

High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Cardiac Autonomic Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Different exercise models have been used in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), like moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) and high intensity interval training (HIIT); however, their effects on autonomic modulation are unknown. The present study aimed to compare the effects of different exercise modes on autonomic modulation in patients with T2D. In total, 44 adults with >5 years of T2D diagnosis were recruited and stratified into three groups: HIIT-30:30 (n = 15, age 59.13 ± 5.57 years) that performed 20 repetitions of 30 s at 100% of VO2peak with passive recovery, HIIT-2:2 (n = 14, age 61.20 ± 2.88) that performed 5 repetitions of 2 min at 100% of VO2peak with passive recovery, and MICT (n = 15, age 58.50 ± 5.26) that performed 14 min of continuous exercise at 70% of VO2peak. All participants underwent anamnesis and evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiac autonomic modulation. All protocols were equated by total distance and were performed two times per week for 8 weeks. Group × time interactions were observed for resting heart rate (HRrest) [F(2.82) = 3.641; p = 0.031] and SDNN [F(2.82) = 3.462; p = 0.036]. Only the HIIT-30:30 group significantly reduced SDNN (p = 0.002 and 0.025, respectively). HRrest reduced more in the HIIT-30:30 group compared with the MICT group (p = 0.038). Group × time interactions were also observed for offTAU [F(2.82) = 3.146; p = 0.048] and offTMR [F(2.82) = 4.424; p = 0.015]. The MICT group presented increased values of offTAU compared with the HIIT-30:30 and HIIT-2:2 groups (p = 0.001 and 0.013, respectively), representing a slower HR response after eight weeks of intervention. HIIT, specially HIIT-30:30, represents a promising measure for improving autonomic modulation in patients with T2D.

The effect plyometric training with active-passive recovery for 8 weeks on performance physical abilities male judo athletes

Background and Study Aim. Judo is a popular sport with dynamic characteristics and requires high physical abilities to achieve achievement. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of plyometric exercises with active-passive recovery for eight weeks to improve the physical ability of male judo athletes. Material and Methods. This study used an experimental method. A total of 36 male judoka participated as samples and were randomly divided into three groups. The plyometric experimental group with active recovery (21.8±1.78 years, 1.70±0.06 m, 71.1±13.5 kg), plyometric experimental group with passive recovery (21.7±2.53 years, 1.71±0.06 m, 63.8±10.1 kg), and the control group (21.4±2.30 years, 1.72±0.05 m, 67.4±7.76 kg). The training program was conducted for eight weeks with a frequency of 3 times/week. The experimental group was treated with plyometric training after warm-up, judo training, and post-exercise active-passive recovery intervention. The control group continued regular judo training. The statistical analysis procedure used the ANOVA test to determine the difference and comparison of the pre-test and post-test mean values in the control and experimental groups with a significance level (p<0.05). Results. The results showed differences in the average value of experimental and control groups found significant to the VO2Max endurance and leg power. Meanwhile, no significant difference occurred in left and right grip strength, flexibility, and speed. Conclusions. The study concluded that plyometric training with active-passive recovery positively affects male judoka's VO2max endurance and leg power.

Analysis of the External and Internal Load in 5vs5 Large Sided Games: Differences Between Different Sized Fields

The study purpose. The purpose of the study is to analyze and understand the internal and external load in Large Sided Games (LSG) exercises carried out on fields of different sizes, defined as Small – Large Sided Games (SLSG) and Big – Large Sided Games (BLSG), according to the different square meters assigned to each player. Materials and methods. 22 professional soccer players (average age: 23.59 ± 4.87 years, weight: 77.8 ± 7.6 kg, height: 183.5 ± 7.5 cm, age training: 13.1 ± 1.7). The LSG exercises were carried out on a 60 x 54 m field (270 m2/player), defined as "small" (SLSG) and on a 65 x 60 m field (325 m2/player) defined as "big" (BLSG). During the two LSG exercises, the internal load and the external load were analyzed. LSG exercises were performed with 4 sets of 5 minutes each, with 2 minutes of passive recovery between each set. Results. The results of the internal load analysis show how the LSG carried out on a SLSG field provides higher and more significant HR values (p < 0.0005) than those emerged during the exercise carried out on a BLSG field. The RPE value is also higher during the SLSG, although statistically no significant difference appears. The analysis of the external load in relation with the observed parameters shows higher values in the BLSG, except for the number of accelerations. Conclusions. In terms of external and internal load, the results of this study showed how the difference of 55 m2/player can radically change the configuration of the two exercises. These differences allow to use both dimensions within a micro-cycle, but in sessions with different goals. The most appropriate sessions for LSGs are the first post-match session in which the rest day is not gone and the fourth session 3 days before the match.

A Comparative Study of Two-Minute versus Three-Minute Passive Recovery on Sprint Skating Performance of Ice Hockey Forwards and Defensemen

The impact of two different passive recovery durations, two and three minutes, between sets of repeated sprint skating ability (RSSA) test on skating speed, speed decrement (Sdec), and heart rate (HR) response of ice hockey forwards (n = 12) and defensemen (n = 7) were determined. Six sets of 3 × 80 m sprint, with two-minute passive recovery between two consecutive sets, were performed in RSSA-2. A three-minute passive recovery period between two consecutive sets was allowed in RSSA-3. Skating speed, Sdec, and HR were measured in all tests. Subjects skated faster (p < 0.05) in most of the RSSA-3 sets than the corresponding set of RSSA-2. Defensemen were slower (p < 0.05) than forwards in most of the cases. The Sdec was higher in defensemen than in forwards, although the difference was significant occasionally. No difference in peak HR and minimum HR between forwards and defensemen was found. RSSA-3 is beneficial over RSSA-2 in both forwards and defensemen by increasing speed. Defensemen are slower and show early fatigability than forwards, and no difference in HR response was noted between forwards and defensemen. This study concludes that three-minute recovery is beneficial over two-minute recovery by increasing skating speed, although Sdec and HR response neither vary significantly between RSSA-2 and RSSA-3, nor between forwards and defensemen.

Changes to intraocular pressure and systemic blood pressure in dogs during moderate treadmill exercise - a short communication

Physical exercise in humans induces changes in intraocular pressure, relating to the type and intensity of the workload. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the variations in intraocular pressure and arterial blood pressure in dogs that underwent physical exercise on a treadmill. Thirty dogs were submitted to physical exercise consisting of walking (15 minutes), trotting (20 minutes), and walking (10 minutes). The intraocular pressure, blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded for each dog before starting the treadmill exercise, immediately after it ended, and after 20 minutes of passive recovery. Two-way repeated analysis of variance measurement showed the significant effect of treadmill exercise (P≤0.01) on intraocular pressure, pulse rate and diastolic blood pressure. No significant changes were observed to systolic blood pressure. Intraocular pressure and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly during the passive recovery, and were strongly related. The pulse rate was significantly lower during the passive recovery. Although the mechanism determining the reduction in intraocular pressure during exercise remains not fully understood, our results suggest that it is strongly related to variations in arterial blood pressure.

Sprint Interval Training: Recovery Format, Enjoyment and Blood Pressure in Inactive Men

ABSTRACT Background: While the efficacy of sprint interval training (SIT) to provide positive health effects in inactive populations is established, feasibility is associated with enjoyment and safety, which are dependent on the acute physiological and perceptual responses. The recovery format likely influences physiological and perceptual responses that occur during and immediately after SIT. It was hypothesized that during SIT interspersed with active recovery periods, enjoyment and blood pressure (BP) values would be higher compared with passive recovery periods, in inactive participants. Methods: Twelve males (mean ± SD; age 23 ± 3 y) completed 3 exercise sessions on a cycle ergometer in a randomized order on separate days: (a) SIT with passive recovery periods between 4 bouts (SITPASS), (b) SIT with active recovery periods between 4 bouts (SITACT), and (c) SITACT with the 4 SIT bouts replaced with passive periods. BP was measured immediately after each bout and every 2 min during a 6 min recovery. Physical activity enjoyment was measured during postexercise recovery. Results: There were no significant differences in physical activity enjoyment or systolic BP between SITPASS and SITACT. Diastolic BP was lower during recovery in SITACT (P = 0.025) and SITPASS (P = 0.027), compared with resting BP. Furthermore, diastolic BP was lower after 6 min of recovery following SITPASS, compared with SITACT (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Exercise enjoyment and acute systolic BP responses were independent of SIT recovery format in inactive men. Reductions in diastolic BP were greater and more prolonged after SIT protocols that included passive recovery periods.