The effect of active vs passive recovery and use of compression garments following a single bout of muscle-damaging exercise

BACKGROUND: Some recovery strategies are needed to reduce or eliminate the effect of negative symptoms caused by exercise. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different types of recovery after single-bout strength exercises on biomarkers of muscle damage, cytokine release and lactate elimination. METHODS: Following familiarization, 10 male volunteers performed four randomized recovery protocols (passive or active recovery with or without compression garments) following a single bout of resistance exercise (squat and deadlift exercises). The blood creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), interleukine-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-alpha) values were measured before and after exercise, and after 24, 48, 72 hours. RESULTS: The CK analysis showed that all protocols significantly increased (p < 0.05) CK activity compared to the pre and 24 h post time points. Interestingly, protocol 3 and 4 significantly decreased (p < 0.05) CK activity compared 24 and 72 h post-exercise. LDH, IL-6, and TNF values did not show significant difference (p > 0.05) at the time points tested. CONCLUSIONS: Active recovery is an effective method for reducing the severity and duration of muscle damage and for accelerating the clearance of blood lactate (BLa) following a single bout of strength training. There is no added benefit of using compression garments.