Skelton, M. S., & Kesslar, R. (2001). Effect of an active recovery between innings on heart rate, blood pressure, arm girth and blood lactate levels in college softball pitchers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 885.

This study examined the difference in heart rate, diastolic and systolic blood pressures, arm circumference, and blood lactate levels in female softball pitchers (N = 7) using an active recovery between innings compared to resting recovery between innings. Active recovery involved low-intensity arm ergometry.

Lactate increased significantly in the resting recovery condition from pre-game to the third innings and then stabilized for the remainder of the game. Lactate was not significantly changed or different in the active recovery condition. Lactate was significantly higher in the resting condition when compared to the active condition in the last innings of games. Heart rate, blood pressures, ratings of perceived exertion, and pitching arm circumference were similar between both conditions.

Implication. Active recovery reduced indices of physiological fatigue in softball. It did not affect perceived fatigue.

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