The physiological effects of low-intensity NMES on short-term recovery from supra-maximal exercise bouts in trained male triathletes

John K. Malone*, Gareth Coughlan, Louis Crowe, G. C. Gissane, Brian Caulfield

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract

Abstract

Inadequate recovery from high-intensity exercise bouts can limit sporting performance [1]. Previous research using various recovery intervention protocols have generally found positive results compared to passive recovery [2,3]. A recent study showed that NMES during recovery lowered blood lactate (Bla) compared to passive recovery [4]. The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of NMES on BLa and performance parameters in trained male tri-athletes. Methods On three separate days, 13 trained male triathletes (31 ± 5 yrs; 182.8 ± 6.9 cm; 78.1 ± 8.4 kg) performed six 30 sec Wingate tests (30WanT) on a cycle ergometer. Each session consisted of 3 x 30WanT (bouts 1-3) interspersed by 4 min recovery (80 Watts @ 80 rev.min-1), followed by a randomly assigned 30 min recovery intervention of either: i) passive (seated), ii) active (cycling @ 30% VO2max) or iii) NMES (1 Hz / 500 μs - ON:OFF 2:6 s). The 3 x 30WanT bouts were then repeated (bouts 4-6) and compared to bouts 1-3 for peak power (PP), mean power (MP) and fatigue index (FI). BLa and heart rate (HR) were recorded at designated time points throughout. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD post hoc test. Results BLa decreased significantly faster during the active recovery intervention compared to both the NMES and passive interventions (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between interventions for PP (P = 0.710), MP (P = 0.928) and FI (P = 0.814) when the post intervention bouts (4-6) where compared to the pre intervention bouts (1-3). Discussion NMES during recovery was not more effective than active, or surprisingly, passive recovery for improving subsequent performance. Despite Bla clearing at a significantly faster rate for the active recovery intervention, PP, MP or FI did not improve significantly compared to NMES and passive. This supports the belief that lactate is not a major cause of muscle fatigue [1]. In conclusion, NMES does not appear to be more effective than traditional methods for enhancing recovery. References 1. Williams C & Ratel S, (2009). Human Muscle Fatigue. Routledge. 2. Gill ND et al., (2006). Effectiveness of post match recovery strategies in rugby players. Br J Sports Med, 42, 260-263. 3. Lane KN & Wenger HA. (2004). Effect of selected recovery conditions on performance of repeated bouts of intermittent cycling separated by 24 hours. J Stren Cond Res, 18, 855-860. 4. Neric FB et al., (2009). Comparison of swim recovery and muscle stimulation on lactate removal after swimming. J Stren Cond Res, 23, 2560-2567.
Original languageEnglish
Pages525
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jul 2011
Externally publishedYes
Event16th Annual Congress of the European Congress of Sport Science: New Horizons From a World Heritage City - Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Duration: 6 Jul 2011 → 9 Jul 2011
http://sport-science.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=316&Itemid=124

Conference

Conference16th Annual Congress of the European Congress of Sport Science
Abbreviated titleECSS 2011
CountryUnited Kingdom
CityLiverpool
Period6/07/11 → 9/07/11
Internet address

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Lactic Acid
Exercise
Fatigue
Muscle Fatigue
Football
Athletes
Sports
Analysis of Variance
Heart Rate
Muscles
Research

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Malone, J. K., Coughlan, G., Crowe, L., Gissane, G. C., & Caulfield, B. (2011). The physiological effects of low-intensity NMES on short-term recovery from supra-maximal exercise bouts in trained male triathletes. 525. Abstract from 16th Annual Congress of the European Congress of Sport Science, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Malone, John K. ; Coughlan, Gareth ; Crowe, Louis ; Gissane, G. C. ; Caulfield, Brian. / The physiological effects of low-intensity NMES on short-term recovery from supra-maximal exercise bouts in trained male triathletes. Abstract from 16th Annual Congress of the European Congress of Sport Science, Liverpool, United Kingdom.1 p.
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title = "The physiological effects of low-intensity NMES on short-term recovery from supra-maximal exercise bouts in trained male triathletes",
abstract = "Inadequate recovery from high-intensity exercise bouts can limit sporting performance [1]. Previous research using various recovery intervention protocols have generally found positive results compared to passive recovery [2,3]. A recent study showed that NMES during recovery lowered blood lactate (Bla) compared to passive recovery [4]. The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of NMES on BLa and performance parameters in trained male tri-athletes. Methods On three separate days, 13 trained male triathletes (31 ± 5 yrs; 182.8 ± 6.9 cm; 78.1 ± 8.4 kg) performed six 30 sec Wingate tests (30WanT) on a cycle ergometer. Each session consisted of 3 x 30WanT (bouts 1-3) interspersed by 4 min recovery (80 Watts @ 80 rev.min-1), followed by a randomly assigned 30 min recovery intervention of either: i) passive (seated), ii) active (cycling @ 30{\%} VO2max) or iii) NMES (1 Hz / 500 μs - ON:OFF 2:6 s). The 3 x 30WanT bouts were then repeated (bouts 4-6) and compared to bouts 1-3 for peak power (PP), mean power (MP) and fatigue index (FI). BLa and heart rate (HR) were recorded at designated time points throughout. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD post hoc test. Results BLa decreased significantly faster during the active recovery intervention compared to both the NMES and passive interventions (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between interventions for PP (P = 0.710), MP (P = 0.928) and FI (P = 0.814) when the post intervention bouts (4-6) where compared to the pre intervention bouts (1-3). Discussion NMES during recovery was not more effective than active, or surprisingly, passive recovery for improving subsequent performance. Despite Bla clearing at a significantly faster rate for the active recovery intervention, PP, MP or FI did not improve significantly compared to NMES and passive. This supports the belief that lactate is not a major cause of muscle fatigue [1]. In conclusion, NMES does not appear to be more effective than traditional methods for enhancing recovery. References 1. Williams C & Ratel S, (2009). Human Muscle Fatigue. Routledge. 2. Gill ND et al., (2006). Effectiveness of post match recovery strategies in rugby players. Br J Sports Med, 42, 260-263. 3. Lane KN & Wenger HA. (2004). Effect of selected recovery conditions on performance of repeated bouts of intermittent cycling separated by 24 hours. J Stren Cond Res, 18, 855-860. 4. Neric FB et al., (2009). Comparison of swim recovery and muscle stimulation on lactate removal after swimming. J Stren Cond Res, 23, 2560-2567.",
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year = "2011",
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pages = "525",
note = "16th Annual Congress of the European Congress of Sport Science : New Horizons From a World Heritage City, ECSS 2011 ; Conference date: 06-07-2011 Through 09-07-2011",
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Malone, JK, Coughlan, G, Crowe, L, Gissane, GC & Caulfield, B 2011, 'The physiological effects of low-intensity NMES on short-term recovery from supra-maximal exercise bouts in trained male triathletes', 16th Annual Congress of the European Congress of Sport Science, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 6/07/11 - 9/07/11 pp. 525.

The physiological effects of low-intensity NMES on short-term recovery from supra-maximal exercise bouts in trained male triathletes. / Malone, John K.; Coughlan, Gareth ; Crowe, Louis; Gissane, G. C.; Caulfield, Brian.

2011. 525 Abstract from 16th Annual Congress of the European Congress of Sport Science, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract

TY - CONF

T1 - The physiological effects of low-intensity NMES on short-term recovery from supra-maximal exercise bouts in trained male triathletes

AU - Malone, John K.

AU - Coughlan, Gareth

AU - Crowe, Louis

AU - Gissane, G. C.

AU - Caulfield, Brian

PY - 2011/7/6

Y1 - 2011/7/6

N2 - Inadequate recovery from high-intensity exercise bouts can limit sporting performance [1]. Previous research using various recovery intervention protocols have generally found positive results compared to passive recovery [2,3]. A recent study showed that NMES during recovery lowered blood lactate (Bla) compared to passive recovery [4]. The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of NMES on BLa and performance parameters in trained male tri-athletes. Methods On three separate days, 13 trained male triathletes (31 ± 5 yrs; 182.8 ± 6.9 cm; 78.1 ± 8.4 kg) performed six 30 sec Wingate tests (30WanT) on a cycle ergometer. Each session consisted of 3 x 30WanT (bouts 1-3) interspersed by 4 min recovery (80 Watts @ 80 rev.min-1), followed by a randomly assigned 30 min recovery intervention of either: i) passive (seated), ii) active (cycling @ 30% VO2max) or iii) NMES (1 Hz / 500 μs - ON:OFF 2:6 s). The 3 x 30WanT bouts were then repeated (bouts 4-6) and compared to bouts 1-3 for peak power (PP), mean power (MP) and fatigue index (FI). BLa and heart rate (HR) were recorded at designated time points throughout. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD post hoc test. Results BLa decreased significantly faster during the active recovery intervention compared to both the NMES and passive interventions (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between interventions for PP (P = 0.710), MP (P = 0.928) and FI (P = 0.814) when the post intervention bouts (4-6) where compared to the pre intervention bouts (1-3). Discussion NMES during recovery was not more effective than active, or surprisingly, passive recovery for improving subsequent performance. Despite Bla clearing at a significantly faster rate for the active recovery intervention, PP, MP or FI did not improve significantly compared to NMES and passive. This supports the belief that lactate is not a major cause of muscle fatigue [1]. In conclusion, NMES does not appear to be more effective than traditional methods for enhancing recovery. References 1. Williams C & Ratel S, (2009). Human Muscle Fatigue. Routledge. 2. Gill ND et al., (2006). Effectiveness of post match recovery strategies in rugby players. Br J Sports Med, 42, 260-263. 3. Lane KN & Wenger HA. (2004). Effect of selected recovery conditions on performance of repeated bouts of intermittent cycling separated by 24 hours. J Stren Cond Res, 18, 855-860. 4. Neric FB et al., (2009). Comparison of swim recovery and muscle stimulation on lactate removal after swimming. J Stren Cond Res, 23, 2560-2567.

AB - Inadequate recovery from high-intensity exercise bouts can limit sporting performance [1]. Previous research using various recovery intervention protocols have generally found positive results compared to passive recovery [2,3]. A recent study showed that NMES during recovery lowered blood lactate (Bla) compared to passive recovery [4]. The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of NMES on BLa and performance parameters in trained male tri-athletes. Methods On three separate days, 13 trained male triathletes (31 ± 5 yrs; 182.8 ± 6.9 cm; 78.1 ± 8.4 kg) performed six 30 sec Wingate tests (30WanT) on a cycle ergometer. Each session consisted of 3 x 30WanT (bouts 1-3) interspersed by 4 min recovery (80 Watts @ 80 rev.min-1), followed by a randomly assigned 30 min recovery intervention of either: i) passive (seated), ii) active (cycling @ 30% VO2max) or iii) NMES (1 Hz / 500 μs - ON:OFF 2:6 s). The 3 x 30WanT bouts were then repeated (bouts 4-6) and compared to bouts 1-3 for peak power (PP), mean power (MP) and fatigue index (FI). BLa and heart rate (HR) were recorded at designated time points throughout. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD post hoc test. Results BLa decreased significantly faster during the active recovery intervention compared to both the NMES and passive interventions (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between interventions for PP (P = 0.710), MP (P = 0.928) and FI (P = 0.814) when the post intervention bouts (4-6) where compared to the pre intervention bouts (1-3). Discussion NMES during recovery was not more effective than active, or surprisingly, passive recovery for improving subsequent performance. Despite Bla clearing at a significantly faster rate for the active recovery intervention, PP, MP or FI did not improve significantly compared to NMES and passive. This supports the belief that lactate is not a major cause of muscle fatigue [1]. In conclusion, NMES does not appear to be more effective than traditional methods for enhancing recovery. References 1. Williams C & Ratel S, (2009). Human Muscle Fatigue. Routledge. 2. Gill ND et al., (2006). Effectiveness of post match recovery strategies in rugby players. Br J Sports Med, 42, 260-263. 3. Lane KN & Wenger HA. (2004). Effect of selected recovery conditions on performance of repeated bouts of intermittent cycling separated by 24 hours. J Stren Cond Res, 18, 855-860. 4. Neric FB et al., (2009). Comparison of swim recovery and muscle stimulation on lactate removal after swimming. J Stren Cond Res, 23, 2560-2567.

M3 - Abstract

SP - 525

ER -

Malone JK, Coughlan G, Crowe L, Gissane GC, Caulfield B. The physiological effects of low-intensity NMES on short-term recovery from supra-maximal exercise bouts in trained male triathletes. 2011. Abstract from 16th Annual Congress of the European Congress of Sport Science, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

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