The Impact of Active and Passive Recovery on Blood Lactate Clearance in Sprinters

This study investigated the difference in blood lactate clearance between active and passive recovery in D1 sprinters. Blood lactate is an indicator of fatigue, which produces the burning sensation felt during anaerobic exercise. The study was held at a private Midwestern university on the indoor track. Eleven college-aged sprinters, of both genders (Male=9, Female=2), participated. These track sprinters were accustomed to a maximal workout. The intervention was type of recovery. Six of the participants performed active recovery which included self-paced jogging, while five participants performed passive recovery of sitting still. Participants ran a maximal 400-meter dash. Blood lactate was measured via finger prick with the Blood Lactate Pro analyzer. Blood lactate was measured immediately after the 400m sprint and at minutes 10 and 20 post sprint. The blood lactate clearance of the active recovery group (M=3.31, SD=1.08) was significantly higher than the blood lactate clearance of the passive recovery group (M=1.64, SD=.99), t(11)=2.65, p\u3c.05, d=1.52. The null hypothesis is rejected, as a significant difference was revealed between the two intervention groups. The results suggest that the active recovery method is more effective at blood lactate clearance in D1 track sprinters in this study