Optimizing Recovery Strategies in Elite Speedskating: A Comparative Analysis of Different Modalities

Abstract

Background/Objectives: As short-track speed skaters have to race multiple races to achieve success during competition, optimizing the recovery between efforts is a noteworthy performance determinant. Therefore, we compared three different recovery modalities (active cycling recovery, pneumatic compression boots, and isocapnic breathing protocol) in the context of perceived subjective pain and recovery variables, multiple biochemical and biomechanical indices, CMJ height and power, as well as repeated efforts on the ice track. Methods: Fifteen elite short-track speed skaters (eight males and seven females; age 18.3 ± 1.0 years, height 175.6 ± 7.5 cm, weight 73.7 ± 7.7 kg, 23.8 kg/m², VO₂max 55.5 mL·kg^-1·min^-1: ♂ 58 20 ± 3.6 mL·kg^-1·min^-1; and ♀ 53 ± 4.5 mL·kg^-1·min^-1) completed the study experiment and were included in the analyses. Repeated measures ANOVA with optional post hoc Bonferroni correction was used to assess the association magnitude of changes in variables across the recovery methods. Results: All the investigated protocols were associated with significant changes in multiple recovery indices observed within all the investigated protocols (p ≤ 0.05). However, for this sample, they resulted in analogous effects on subjective variables, hormonal response, creatine kinase, CMJ parameters, and on-ice performance (between-protocol effect: p ≥ 0.002). Changes in creatine kinase were generally higher in males than females (p = 0.05), which might suggest that optimal recovery protocols in short-track are gender-dependent. Conclusions: Since compression and active cycling remain gold standard recovery protocols, a similar response from isocapnic breathing suggests it may be a modality particularly useful in real-world settings.

Keywords: active recovery; compression boots; recovery breathing; short track.

Figure 1

Design of one testing session, including blood sample testing (C—cortisol, CK—creatine kinase, bLa—blood lactate concentration), CMJ—countermovement jump, on-ice testing, and questionnaires assessing perceived pain and recovery.

Figure 2

Mean ± SD of biochemical markers, i.e., (A) creatine kinase activity [U/L], (B) cortisol level [nmol × L⁻¹], and (C) blood lactate concentration [nmol × L⁻¹] at different timelines after speedskating. Abbreviations: LIC—low-intensity cycling, PCB—pneumatic compression boots, VIH—voluntary isocapnic hyperpnoea.

Figure 2

Mean ± SD of biochemical markers, i.e., (A) creatine kinase activity [U/L], (B) cortisol level [nmol × L⁻¹], and (C) blood lactate concentration [nmol × L⁻¹] at different timelines after speedskating. Abbreviations: LIC—low-intensity cycling, PCB—pneumatic compression boots, VIH—voluntary isocapnic hyperpnoea.

Figure 3

Mean ± SD of questionnaire assessment, i.e., (A) Numeric Rating Pain Scale and (B) Subjective Perceived Recovery Status Scale at the 3rd and 15th minutes post-exercise and after recovery procedures. Abbreviations: LIC—low-intensity cycling, PCB—pneumatic compression boots, VIH—voluntary isocapnic hyperpnoea. The orange indicates the first skating ride at 3rd min post-exercise, the green represents the first skating ride at 15th min post-exercise, the purple represents second skating ride at 3rd min post-exercise and the yellow represents second skating ride at 15th min post-exercise.

Figure 4

Mean ± SD of countermovement jump height in centimeters (A) and power in watts (B) at baseline and twice after the testing efforts. Abbreviations: LIC—low-intensity cycling, PCB—pneumatic compression boots, VIH—voluntary isocapnic hyperpnoea.