Peripheral and systemic circulation after local dynamic exercise and recovery using passive foot movement and electrostimulation.
OBJECTIVE
This study analyzed the effect of additional means of recovery (passive foot movements [PFM] and electrical stimulation [ES]), on peripheral and systemic circulation.


METHODS
The subjects were 16 endurance athletes. A period of passive rest (PR), ES and PFM were applied in 3 trials during which arterial blood flow in calf muscles, stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO) were recorded. Repetitive exercise loading at 75% of maximum voluntary contraction to exhaustion was performed.


RESULTS
A 15-min period of PR did not appreciably decrease residual fatigue of the exercised muscles, and working capacity during the second physical loading decreased by 84.9+/-28.3 Nm (P<0.05). After ES and PFM, muscle working capacity decreased insignificantly versus the values after the first loadings. After PR, SV (78+/-4.5 mL, P<0.05) and CO (5+/-0.3 L/min, P<0.05) decreased versus baseline values (95+/-6.6 mL and 5.8+/-0.3 L/min, respectively). After additional ES and PFM, SV and CO decreased insignificantly versus baseline values.


CONCLUSIONS
ES and PFM improve blood return to the heart. After dynamic exercise, ES and PFM, applied as additional means of recovery, can enhance recovery and restore muscle working capacity.
Grunovas
A
A
Laboratory of Kinesiology, Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education, Kaunas, Lithuania. a.grunovas@lkka.lt
Silinskas
V
V
Poderys
J
J
Trinkunas
E
E
D000328:Adult; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology