Summary
The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two recovery techniques
on blood lactate and repeated sprint performance. In a randomised cross-over design
20 junior representative rugby players (aged 19 ± 1 years) were given either contrast temperature water therapy or active recovery after
performing a repeated sprint test. The test was then repeated 1 h later to gauge the effects of the two recovery methods on subsequent repetitive
sprinting performance. One week later, the two groups were reversed and the testing
repeated. The test consisted of ten 40-m sprints with a 30-s turn-around between sprints.
Recovery consisted of 6 min slow jogging (6.8 km h−1) for the active recovery group or 6 min of contrast temperature water therapy consisting of three 1-min hip-height immersions
in cold water (8–10 °C) alternated with three 1-min hot water (38 °C) showers. Blood lactate concentration and heart rates were measured throughout
the testing. Relative to the active recovery group the contrast temperature water
therapy group showed a substantial decrease in blood lactate concentration 3 min after the procedure (−2.1 mmol L−1, 95% confidence limits, ±1.8 mmol L−1), and substantially lower heart rates both during the procedure (−9.1 ± 8.7 min−1) as well as 1 h later during the second set of sprints (−11.7 ± 8.6 min−1). Effects of recovery group on repeated sprint performance were small to trivial
and unclear. Compared to active recovery, contrast temperature water therapy decreases
blood lactate concentration and heart rate but has little effect on subsequent repetitive
sprinting performance.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
January 14,
2007
Received in revised form:
January 12,
2007
Received:
August 9,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.