EFFECT OF DIFFERENT RECOVERY POSTURES ON METABOLIC, HEMODYNAMIC AND VENTILATORY RESPONSES TO HIGH-INTENSITY EXERCISE

Abstract

This aim of the study was to investigate and compare the effects of recovery postures, upright-seated position and 45 degree leg raising, on ventilation and hemodynamic and metabolism responses after high-intensity exercise. Eleven male volunteers (mean ± SD: age, 20.18 ± 0.70 yr) completed the 45 min high-intensity intermittent exercise on a treadmill. Immediately after exercise, each subject was assigned to recover in a seated or leg-raised position for 15 min in a randomized order. Each subject then performed two experimental trials separated by at least 1 week. Minute ventilation (V_E), tidal volume (V_T), breathing frequency (BF), oxygen consumption (VO_2), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), rate pressure product (RPP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored via a portable metabolic test system (Oxycon Mobile, Germany) and telemetry heart rate monitor (Polar, Finland). V_E, V_T, BF, VO_2, VCO₂, RER, HR, and arterial blood pressure variables at baseline rest and during exercise were not different between upright-seated and leg raising recovery trials. Post-exercise systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) and arterial pulse pressure (P<0.01) were greater for the leg raising recovery compared with the seated recovery. The change in heart rate after high-intensity intermittent exercise was less in the leg raising recovery (p < 0.05) and the  heart rate was lower compared with the seated condition (p < 0.01). During recovery, VO₂, respiratory discomfort, and BF were higher in leg raising position when compared with upright-seated position but V_T in leg raising position was lower than upright-seated position (p < 0.05). However, V_E, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure, VCO_2, RER and RPP were not influenced by the tested recovery postures (p > 0.05). In conclusion, these data show a greater benefit of recovery in 45 degree leg raising position compared with upright-seated position for reducing cardiovascular strains after high-intensity intermittent exercise. However, a higher respiratory discomfort was observed in leg raising position.

(J. Sports Sci. Technol 2011; 11 (2): 91–105)

Key words: hemodynamic/ventilation/metabolism/ recovery postures.