Active and passive recovery from maximal aerobic capacity work

Summary Thirteen subjects performed two identical maximal aerobic capacity tasks on the bicycle ergometer, at one time recovering while sitting absolutely quiet and once while continuing to pedal at the same RPM against minimal resistance. The heart rate, oxygen-debt pay-off, and carbon-dioxide expulsion curves during recovery were established. Comparison of the Active and Passive recovery data showed no difference above their respective levels of return (Zero load pedaling or resting), except for substantially slower pay-off of the lactic part of the oxygen debt.This work (project Hokulani) was supported in part by a grant from the University Research Fund.