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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Non-invasive Assessments of Subjective and Objective Recovery Characteristics Following an Exhaustive Jump Protocol

Non-invasive Assessments of Subjective and Objective Recovery Characteristics Following an Exhaustive Jump Protocol

Published on: June 8, 2017

Effect of five different recovery methods on repeated cycle performance.

Kevin De Pauw¹, Bas De Geus, Bart Roelands

¹Department of Human Physiology and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

|April 19, 2011

Summary

Active recovery and cooling strategies did not significantly improve repeated time trial performance. However, active recovery alone showed a slight performance benefit after the second time trial, with faster lactate clearance observed.

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Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Non-invasive Assessments of Subjective and Objective Recovery Characteristics Following an Exhaustive Jump Protocol

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Experimental Protocol of a Three-minute, All-out Arm Crank Exercise Test in Spinal-cord Injured and Able-bodied Individuals

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Muscle Velocity Recovery Cycles to Examine Muscle Membrane Properties

Muscle Velocity Recovery Cycles to Examine Muscle Membrane Properties

Published on: February 19, 2020

Area of Science:

Sports Science
Exercise Physiology
Performance Optimization

Background:

Repeated high-intensity exercise performance is crucial in many sports.
Effective recovery strategies are vital for athletes to maintain performance during multiple efforts.
Understanding the impact of different recovery methods on physiological markers and performance is essential for training.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the influence of five distinct recovery strategies on repeated simulated time trial (TT) performance.
To assess the effects of passive rest, upper leg cooling, and compression on cycling TT.
To examine the impact of active recovery (AR) with and without cooling on subsequent TT performance.

Main Methods:

Two studies were conducted on trained male cyclists (n=8 and n=9).
Participants completed two simulated time trials (TT1 and TT2) on a stationary cycle ergometer.
Recovery interventions included passive rest, upper leg cooling (0°C or 10°C), compression, and active recovery (AR) for 20 minutes, followed by 100 minutes of passive rest before TT2.

Main Results:

No significant differences in TT2 performance were observed across any of the tested recovery interventions.
Upper leg cooling significantly decreased skin temperature during recovery.
Active recovery combined with cooling and compression demonstrated a faster decrease in blood lactate concentration ([BLa]) and lower [BLa] during TT2 compared to AR alone.

Conclusions:

Recovery strategies including cooling, active recovery, or combined methods did not significantly alter repeated time trial performance 120 minutes after the initial TT.
Active recovery alone may offer a slight performance advantage in the second time trial.
Faster blood lactate clearance was observed with active recovery combined with cooling and compression.