Effects of recovery duration and blood lactate level on power output during cycling

Abstract

This study identifies the quickest recovery between consecutive anaerobic tests to maintain power output (PO) on the repeated test. Sixteen male cyclists finished three sessions of max rpm initial and repeated 45-s cycling tests at 53.9 N. Tests were separated by 6, 9, or 12 min of recovery cycling (80 rpm, 9.8 N). Results showed no significant differences in PO between initial tests (M = 578.5 +/- 50 watts). PO was significantly less on the 6-min repeated test (M = 551.2 +/- 51) compared to the 9- (M = 575.1 +/- 53) and 12-min tests (M = 581.7 +/- 49.9) (p > 0.05). Net blood lactate [HLa] (repeated test-recovery) was significantly related to net PO (repeated test-initial test) on the 9- (r = 0.60, p < 0.05) and 12-min (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) trials, but not on the 6-min trial (r = 0.35, p = 0.19). In summary, at least 9 min of recovery cycling maintains PO on a repeated 45-s cycling test. Elevated [HLa] at the onset of high-intensity sprint exercise is moderately associated with PO on repeated cycle ergometer tests.