Margaurucci, C., & Mansouri, M. (2000). Lactate clearance following 30s maximal effort cycling. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 574.

Three different recovery protocols were evaluated for their effectiveness in clearing lactic acid developed during a 30-s maximal cycling effort. Recreationally active college students (N = 8) served as Ss. The first protocol consisted of 20 minutes of cycling at 50% HRmax. The second comprised 20 minutes of alternating 10 minutes of cycling at 50% HRmax and 10 minutes of inactivity (seated on an ergometer). The final protocol was 20 minutes of inactivity while seated on an ergometer.

Continuous cycling was found to be significantly more effective at removing lactic acid than either of the other two conditions.

Implication. Continuous activity after maximal exhausting sprinting promotes faster recovery.

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