Active recovery affects the recovery of the corticospinal system but not of muscle contractile properties

Abstract

PurposeActive recovery is often used by athletes after strenuous exercise or competition but its underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We hypothesized that active recovery speeds-up recovery processes within the muscle and the central nervous system (CNS).MethodsWe assessed muscular and CNS recovery by measuring the voluntary activation (VA) in the vastus lateralis muscle with transcranial magnetic stimulation (VATMS) and peripheral nerve stimulation (VAPNS) during maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) of the knee extensors in 11 subjects. Measurements were performed before and after a fatiguing cycling time-trial, after an active and a passive recovery treatment and after another fatiguing task (1 min MVC). The measurements were performed a second time 24 h after the time-trial.ResultsWe observed a time × group interaction effect for VATMS (p = 0.013). Post-hoc corrected T-tests demonstrated an increased VATMS after active recovery when measured after the 1 min MVC performed 24 h after the time-trial (mean ± SD; 95.2 ± 4.1% vs. 89.2 ± 6.6%, p = 0.026). No significant effects were observed for all other variables.ConclusionsActive recovery increased aspects of central, rather than muscle recovery. However, no effect on MVC was seen, implying that even if active recovery speeds up CNS recovery, without affecting the recovery of muscle contractile properties, this doesn´t translate into increases in overall performance.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Brain function during central fatigue induced by intermittent high-intensity cycling

“…Brain activity can regulate homeostasis in athletes to delay fatigue and help achieve optimal performance during endurance competitions (36,46), whilst active recovery can increase aspects of central, rather than muscular, recovery (19,22,44). The study of brain activity by using electroencephalography (EEG) recording has many advantages in sports and training (46).…”

Neuromuscular Fatigue Induced by a Mixed Martial Art Training Protocol

“…Decreased knee extensor muscles' VA suggests that central mechanisms contribute to the neuromuscular fatigue observed in relation to the MMA training protocol. Therefore, procedures that intend to facilitate recovery of the central nervous system contribution to neuromuscular performance, such as active recovery, may be advised (13). The highest decrease in knee extensors' neuromuscular performance was seen following the completion of the training protocol.…”

“…The aim was to get from the first submaximal contractions to the last submaximal contraction before maximal effort in 5-10 contractions. This procedure is regularly used in our laboratory to optimize the MVF measurement reliability while minimizing the fatigue induced by the contractions (13,14,16). After 2 minutes of rest, we started the VA procedure.…”

Upper-Body Resistance Training Following Soccer Match Play: Compatible, Complementary, or Contraindicated?

“…27 Neuromuscular fatigue and active recovery modalities Despite typical active recovery protocols (low intensity, concentric based activity) being common practice amongst many physical conditioning practitioners, 8 the efficacy of these practices for accelerating neuromuscular recovery kinetics remains controversial as the limited available evidence has reported mixed results. 10,29 Furthermore, the potential mechanisms by which these active recovery practices may improve central and peripheral fatigue remain unknown. Despite this, it has been hypothesised that the clearance of exercise-induced intramuscular metabolic by-products limits the action of the afferent inhibitory feedback system on the neural drive, thereby improving recovery of CNS structures.…”

“…Despite this, it has been hypothesised that the clearance of exercise-induced intramuscular metabolic by-products limits the action of the afferent inhibitory feedback system on the neural drive, thereby improving recovery of CNS structures. 29 Steady-state submaximal active recovery protocols reportedly accelerate the removal of exercise-induced metabolic waste products, which may improve peripheral microcirculation and decrease the duration and/or severity of skeletal muscle damage and soreness. 30 Irrespective of the weak evidence base available regarding the efficacy of typical active recovery protocols to accelerate neuromuscular recovery kinetics, their purported underpinning theoretical mechanisms do not translate to UB RT, since it's unlikely to enhance lower-limb muscle perfusion.…”