Active recovery prolongs time near maximal oxygen uptake regardless of work rate distribution in interval exercise

Abstract Background Time spent at or near $$\dot {\mathrm{V}}$$ O 2 max is a key stimulus for improving aerobic capacity. This study compared the time spent above 90% and 95% of $$\dot {\mathrm{V}}$$ O 2 max during four work-matched cycling interval exercise protocols that varied in work rate distribution and recovery type. Methods After an incremental test to determine $$\dot {\mathrm{V}}$$ O 2 max and peak power output, ten healthy male participants (27.6 ± 5.0 years; $$\dot {\mathrm{V}}$$ O 2 max: 48.4 ± 8.1 mL · kg −1 · min −1 ) performed four interval exercise sessions consisting of 8 × 60 s efforts interspersed with 60 s of passive or active recovery at 80% of lactate threshold intensity. Work intervals were either constant (100% of peak power output) or decreased linearly (from 110% to 90% of peak power output). The measured variables included time spent above 90% and 95% of $$\dot {\mathrm{V}}$$ O 2 max, time above 90% and 95% of maximal heart rate, peak and recovery $$\dot {\mathrm{V}}$$ O 2 , blood lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion. Results Active recovery significantly ( p < 0.01) increased the time spent above 90% of $$\dot {\mathrm{V}}$$ O 2 max with a constant (274 ± 132 s) or decreasing workload manipulation (310 ± 113 s) compared to passive recovery with a constant (152 ± 72 s) or decreasing strategy (157 ± 82 s). Peak and averaged recovery $$\dot {\mathrm{V}}$$ O 2 were higher in the active recovery conditions. There were no differences in blood lactate concentration or rating of perceived exertion among all sessions. Conclusion Active recovery enhances time spent near $$\dot {\mathrm{V}}$$ O 2 max regardless of work rate distribution, supporting its use in short-duration cycling interval exercise to maximize physiological stimulus.