Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
Non-invasive Assessments of Subjective and Objective Recovery Characteristics Following an Exhaustive Jump Protocol
Published on: June 8, 2017
Comparison of recovery strategies on maximal force-generating capacity and electromyographic activity level of the
Nidhal Zarrouk1, Haithem Rebai, Abdelmoneem Yahia
1Neurophysiologie de la Vigilance, de l'Attention et des Performances, Service d'Explorations Fonctionnelles du Système Nerveux, CHU Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisia. nidhal.zarrouk@yahoo.com
Context:
With regard to intermittent training exercise, the effects of the mode of recovery on subsequent performance are equivocal.
Objective:
To compare the effects of 3 types of recovery intervention on peak torque (PT) and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the knee extensor muscles after fatiguing isokinetic intermittent concentric exercise.
Design:
Crossover study.
Setting:
Research laboratory.
Patients Or Other Participants:
Eight elite judo players (age = 18.4 ± 1.4 years, height = 180 ± 3 cm, mass = 77.0 ± 4.2 kg).
Intervention(S):
Participants completed 3 randomized sessions within 7 days. Each session consisted of 5 sets of 10 concentric knee extensions at 80% PT at 120°/s, with 3 minutes of recovery between sets. Recovery interventions were passive, active, and electromyostimulation. The PT and maximal EMG activity were recorded simultaneously while participants performed isokinetic dynamometer trials before and 3 minutes after the resistance exercise.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
The PT and maximal EMG activity from the knee extensors were quantified at isokinetic velocities of 60°/s, 120°/s, and 180°/s, with 5 repetitions at each velocity.
Results:
The reduction in PT observed after electromyostimulation was less than that seen after passive (P < .001) or active recovery (P < .001). The reduction in PT was less after passive recovery than after active recovery (P < .001). The maximal EMG activity level observed after electromyostimulation was higher than that seen after active recovery (P < .05).
Conclusions:
Electromyostimulation was an effective recovery tool in decreasing neuromuscular fatigue after high-intensity, intermittent isokinetic concentric exercise for the knee extensor muscles. Also, active recovery induced the greatest amount of neuromuscular fatigue.
