Neric, F. B., Beam, W., & Brown, L. E. (2006). The effects of electrical stimulation and submaximal swimming on blood lactate following a maximal effort 200 yard front crawl. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 1405.

This study evaluated the effect of recovery mode on lactate removal. Competitive swimmers (M = 19; F = 11) swam a 1,200 - 1,500-yd warm-up, sprinted a 200-yd front crawl, and completed a 20-minute randomized-counterbalanced recovery. Recovery modes were defined as follows: SMS (8×100-yd repeats at 65% of 200-yd maximum velocity), H-waveŽ (30 mA, 2 Hz; latissimus dorsi and rectus femoris), and rest (seated). Lactate samples were defined as follows: peak (3-minutes post-sprint), mid-recovery (10 minutes into recovery), and post-recovery (following the final 10 minutes).

Submaximal swim recovery resulted in blood lactate being significantly lower than rest at mid-recovery, and significantly lower than both H-waveŽ and rest at post-recovery. H-waveŽ lead to a significantly lower blood lactate than rest at post-recovery.

Implication. Submaximal swimming in recovery produces better lactate recovery than H-waveŽ or passive rest. H-waveŽ is more effective in promoting lactate recovery than rest.

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