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Active vs. passive recovery during high-intensity training influences hormonal response
P Wahl1, S Mathes1, S Achtzehn1
1Institute of Training Science and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Germany.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|November 22, 2013
Summary
Active recovery during high-intensity interval training significantly boosts anabolic hormones like testosterone and growth hormone, potentially enhancing muscle growth and blood vessel formation compared to passive recovery.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT) elicits significant physiological stress.
- Recovery strategies modulate the training response.
- Understanding hormonal and metabolic adaptations to different recovery modes is crucial for optimizing training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the acute hormonal and metabolic responses to active (A) versus passive (P) recovery during HIIT.
- To investigate the impact of recovery type on anabolic and angiogenic markers.
- To assess the athlete's perceived exertion between recovery protocols.
Main Methods:
- Twelve triathletes/cyclists completed four 4-minute cycling intervals with either A- or P-recovery.
- Hormonal analysis included testosterone, hGH, cortisol, VEGF, HGF, and MIF.
- Metabolic assessment involved lactate, blood gas, and spirometric analysis.
- Measurements were taken pre-intervention and at 0', 30', 60', and 180' post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Active recovery led to significant increases in cortisol, testosterone, growth hormone (hGH), VEGF, and HGF.
- Cortisol, testosterone, hGH, VEGF, HGF, and MIF levels were transiently higher after A-recovery compared to P-recovery.
- No significant differences in metabolic perturbations were observed between A- and P-recovery.
- A-recovery was perceived as more demanding by athletes.
Conclusions:
- Active recovery during HIIT promotes greater acute anabolic and pro-angiogenic hormonal responses compared to passive recovery.
- The findings suggest that active recovery may enhance anabolic processes and facilitate pro-angiogenic conditions.
- Both active and passive recovery modes can induce distinct long-term training adaptations.
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