Smith, T., Staiger, S., Brinkert, R., & von Duvillard, S. P. (1999). Wingate tests - the effect of active vs passive recovery. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), Supplement abstract 424.

Changes were assessed in leg muscle power, heart rate, gas exchange measures, lactate, and glucose concentration after five Wingate tests each interspersed by six minutes of either active or passive recovery. During all Wingate tests peak power output, mean power output, minimum power output, and a fatigue index were measured. Ss were trained and in two groups of 10 members.

In the passive group, all output figures decreased and the fatigue index increased across the exercise set. In the active group, only peak power and mean power declined. There was no difference between both recovery conditions for power output or fatigue index. Lactate was significant between and within the two groups, but one form of recovery did not seem to promote faster lactate removal than the other. There were differences in heart rate between the groups.

After repeated intense bursts of exercise that cause lactate accumulation, there is no difference in lactate removal whether between burst recovery is active or passive.

Implication. When repeated exercises are intense, the type of inter-effort interval activity (passive or active) does not seem to affect lactate removal.

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