EFFECT OF DIFFERENT RECOVERY POSTURES ON METABOLIC, HEMODYNAMIC AND VENTILATORY RESPONSES TO HIGH-INTENSITY EXERCISE

This aim of the study was to investigate and compare the effects of recovery postures, upright-seated position and 45 degree leg raising, on ventilation and hemodynamic and metabolism responses after high-intensity exercise. Eleven male volunteers (mean ± SD: age, 20.18 ± 0.70 yr) completed the 45 min high-intensity intermittent exercise on a treadmill. Immediately after exercise, each subject was assigned to recover in a seated or leg-raised position for 15 min in a randomized order. Each subject then performed two experimental trials separated by at least 1 week. Minute ventilation (V E ), tidal volume (V T ), breathing frequency (BF), oxygen consumption (VO 2), carbon dioxide production (VCO 2 ), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), rate pressure product (RPP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored via a portable metabolic test system (Oxycon Mobile, Germany) and telemetry heart rate monitor (Polar, Finland). V E , V T, BF, VO 2, VCO 2 , RER, HR, and arterial blood pressure variables at baseline rest and during exercise were not different between upright-seated and leg raising recovery trials. Post-exercise systolic blood pressure ( p 0.05). In conclusion, these data show a greater benefit of recovery in 45 degree leg raising position compared with upright-seated position for reducing cardiovascular strains after high-intensity intermittent exercise. However, a higher respiratory discomfort was observed in leg raising position. (J. Sports Sci. Technol 2011; 11 (2): 91–105) Key words: hemodynamic/ventilation/metabolism/ recovery postures.