Application of active recovery techniques for a simulated ice hockey task

Three, 15 minute recovery modes between two maximal effort, intermittent work bouts were tested using eight male hockey players (21.9 +/- 1.4 yrs.). The work bouts were comprised of six, 45 second skating trials, each interspersed with 90 seconds of rest. Performance scores were based on average distance skated/trial. Changes in lactate concentrations were determined from venous samples obtained at rest, prior to and following the recovery mode. Bench-stepping during recovery resulted in significantly lower lactates (6.1 +/- 2.2 mmol . 1-1) than for rest recovery (8.1 +/- 1.6 mmol . 1-1), while skating recovery was not significantly different from either bench-stepping or rest. Subsequent performance (WB2) was significantly lower than initial performance (WB1) for all treatments and it was unrelated to differing post-recovery lactate concentrations. It was concluded that bench-stepping enhanced lactate removal but subsequent performance was unaffected by any treatment.