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Blood lactate response to active recovery in athletes vs. non-athletes

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Abstract

Purpose

Optimal active recovery is 80% of lactate threshold for trained individuals, yet this may differ for untrained individuals. Therefore, our goal was to investigate the lactate response during optimal active recovery for athletes vs. non-athletes.

Methods

Sixteen adults (21 ± 1 year, BMI: 26.5 ± 3.6 kg·m−2) were enrolled in a cohort study (collegiate athletes vs. non-athletes). Visit one determined participant lactate threshold and VO2max. Visit two consisted of a brief, but intense running protocol followed by active recovery at 80% of lactate threshold. Heart rate and lactate were taken at rest and every four minutes during active recovery. General mixed linear modeling was used (Alpha p < 0.05) and Cohen’s d was calculated for effect size. Post hoc analysis of individual time points used Bonferroni adjustment.

Results

There was a significant difference in overall lactate (β = − 2.34 mmol·L−1·min−1, p < 0.001, d = 2.32) favoring athletes and at each time point during active recovery (all p < 0.005). There was a significant difference in overall heart rate favoring athletes (β = − 14 bpm, p = 0.003, d = 1.64) and individual time points (all p < 0.005).

Conclusion

Lactate removal during active recovery (80% of lactate threshold) demonstrated a significant difference between athletes vs. non-athletes. Optimal intensity of active recovery for non-athletes should be further investigated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Performance Lab, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 700 University Blvd, MSC 198, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA

    Jessica N. Hinojosa, Christopher M. Hearon & Robert J. Kowalsky

Authors
  1. Jessica N. Hinojosa
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  2. Christopher M. Hearon
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  3. Robert J. Kowalsky
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Correspondence to Robert J. Kowalsky.

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The authors report no conflict of interest.

Ethics approval

The study procedures were approved by Texas A&M University-Kingsville IRB (2019-030/12306) and was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki.

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All subjects provided written consent before participation after all procedures had been clearly explained.

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Hinojosa, J.N., Hearon, C.M. & Kowalsky, R.J. Blood lactate response to active recovery in athletes vs. non-athletes. Sport Sci Health 17, 699–705 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-021-00735-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-021-00735-w

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